Ginger Tamarind Eggplant

Ingredients
Ginger-Tamarind Sauce
 * 1 1/2-inch-round ball tamarind
 * 1/4 c -Boiling water
 * 1 lb Thin, long eggplant
 * 3 tb Light vegetable oil
 * 1 1/2 ts Minced garlic
 * 2 ts Ground coriander
 * 1/4 ts Ground cinnamon
 * 1/8 ts Ground cloves
 * 1/2 c Packed flaked coconut -- fresh or canned, -- unsweetened
 * 1 ts Cayenne pepper (or more)
 * 1/2 ts Coarse salt; or to taste
 * 2 tb Unsulphured molasses -OR- Brown sugar
 * 1/2 ts Black mustard seeds
 * -Tamarind residue from above
 * 1/2 c -Boiling water
 * 1/2 ts Cornstarch
 * 1 tb Shredded fresh ginger

Directions

 * 1) Put the tamarind in a nonmetallic bowl. Add 1/4 cup boiling water and let it soak for 30 minutes. Mash the pulp and extract as much juice from it as possible. Pour all liquid into a bowl, and save the fibrous residue for making the sauce.
 * 2) Slit the eggplants lengthwise to within 3/4 inch of the stem end so that each eggplant remains in one piece.
 * 3) Measure out the spices and place them right next to the stove in separate piles. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the garlic and fry for 30 seconds. Add the coriander, cinnamon, and cloves; fry for 15 more seconds. Stir in the coconut and cayenne pepper; continue frying, stirring, until lightly toasted (about 2 minutes). Turn off the heat and stir in the salt, tamarind liquid, and molasses, and mix well.
 * 4) Stuff the eggplants with the spicy coconut mixture. Secure them by wrapping thread around them.
 * 5) Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. When it is hot, add mustard seeds. Keep a pot lid handy, as the seeds may spatter and fly all over. When the seeds stop spattering, add the eggplants in one layer. Fry the eggplants, turning them often, for 3 or 4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium or medium low and cook them, covered, for 10 to 12 minutes or until they are soft and cooked through. Turn off heat. Transfer them to a serving platter, pour Ginger-Tamarind sauce over them, and serve immediately.