Spicy Eggplant Salad

Ingredients

 * 1) 3	med	Eggplants
 * 2) 2 1/2	tsp	Coarse (kosher salt)
 * 3) 1/4	cup	Corn oil
 * 4) 1 1/2	cup	Tomato sauce
 * 5) 1/4	tsp	Pepper
 * 6) 1	tsp	Hot red chili flakes, or minced fresh chiles
 * 7) 2	tsp	Ground cinnamon
 * 8) 1	tbl	Crushed dried mint

Directions
Slice the eggplants crosswise into 1 1/2 inch thick pieces. Sprinkle them with 2 t. coarse salt and let stand for 15 minutes. rinse eggplants under cold water, which removes the bitter taste, rinse, and dry well on a towel. Heat the oil in a skillet and lightly brown eggplant slices over moderate heat for 3 minutes. Remove and put into a serving bowl. Cool. Put the tomato sauce, pepper, chile, cinnamon, mint and 1/2 t. salt, if wanted, in a pan. Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, which is long enough to integrate the flavors. Pour this over the eggplant; refrigerate until ready to use. The salad can remain in the refrigerator for several days. Serve cold or at room temperature.