Instructions

  1. Cut the eggplants into thin slices, sprinkle with salt; stand in colander in the sink or over a large bowl for 30 minutes; rinse eggplant well under cold water; pat dry with absorbent paper.
  2. Preheat the oven to moderate (180°C/350°-375°F/4-5 gas mark.
  3. Combine the tomato, onion, celery, garlic, chopped oregano and parsley in a medium bowl.
  4. Using a sharp knife, mandoline or V-slicer, cut the potatoes into thin slices; pat dry with absorbent paper; place half of the potato in a lightly oiled 2-litre (8-cup) baking dish; top with half of the eggplant, half of the tomato mixture, then drizzle with half of the oil; repeat layering with the remaining potato, eggplant, tomato mixture and oil.
  5. Cover the dish with foil; bake in a moderate oven for 1 hour; remove the foil; bake for a further 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender; sprinkle the tiella with the oregano leaves and serve.
  6. Notes: One Australian metric tablespoon holds 20ml; North America, New Zealand and the UK use 15ml tablespoons. All cup and spoon measurements are level. Desiree potatoes are long and oval, with a smooth pink skin and creamy yellow flesh; sebago potatoes are round with white skin, shallow eyes and white flesh; spunta potatoes are large and oblong with cream skin and yellow flesh: all are classified as good for baking.