Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Slice the eggplants in half lengthwise and scoop out the centers to create boat-shaped shells. Set aside the scooped-out flesh for later use.
Place the eggplant shells on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until tender.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
Add the ground beef or lamb to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
Add the reserved eggplant flesh to the skillet, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the béchamel sauce. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously until well combined.
Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Add a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook the sauce until thickened, then remove from heat.
In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks. Gradually add a spoonful of the béchamel sauce to the eggs while whisking to temper them. Then pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining béchamel sauce, whisking continuously.
Remove the eggplant shells from the oven and fill each one with the meat mixture. Top with a generous amount of béchamel sauce and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
Return the filled eggplant shells to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
Once cooked, remove from the oven and let them cool slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side, if desired.
Enjoy this authentic Greek papoutsakia, a delightful eggplant dish that brings the flavors of Greece to your table. Savor the blend of tender eggplant, seasoned meat, aromatic tomato sauce, and creamy béchamel sauce, made with ingredients sourced from our trusted Greek grocery online, Recipiada.com . Indulge in the rich traditions of Greek cuisine with this delicious recipe.
