Stuffed Eggplant

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Halve eggplants lengthwise. Trim a little off the undersides so they lie flat. Cut around the inside edge with a paring knife to separate the flesh from the skin. Scoop out the flesh and roughly chop. Set the shells aside.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped eggplant and cook, stirring frequently, until starting to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, season with salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and set aside to cool.

Heat the remaining 1/4 cup oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking. Season the eggplant shells with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 2 tablespoons Parmesan. Cook in the hot oil (in batches, if necessary), turning once, until golden brown and soft, 5 to 8 minutes. (Use caution: they will bubble and spit a little when you turn them over.) Drain on paper towels.

Dunk breadcrumbs in a bowl of water and squeeze them out. Transfer to the bowl with the eggplant filling. Add 1/4 cup Parmesan, egg, parsley and capers. Use a spoon or your hands to thoroughly mix. Fill the eggplant shells with the stuffing and use a spoon to smooth the tops.

Spoon 1 cup tomato sauce into an ovenproof dish big enough to fit the eggplant in one layer. Transfer the stuffed eggplant to the dish. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the remaining sauce over each and top with a basil leaf. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan.

Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the filling registers 160 degrees F, about 25 minutes.