I love eggplant! You bring back memories. The food tradition for my family (from my mother) is Italian, specifically Sicilian. Even when she was elderly and ill, my mother would ask me on my birthday what dish I wanted her to cook. It was always eggplant parmigiana. I think one day I may even post this recipe here, the only one I know that is noteworthy.

My mother used to slice the eggplant thin (oh so hard with rheumatoid arthritis). She would press the eggplant under a pile of cans so the bitter juices would drain out. Then she would fry each piece in sizzling olive oil (which is very nutritious). No breading. Just fried slices, layered in a casserole dish with mozzarella cheese, parmigiana cheese and homemade tomato sauce. Then she would put the casserole in the oven.

It was the most delicious dish in the world :)