Step 1

Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position; preheat oven to 425°F.

Step 2

Place eggplants on a sheet pan. Using the tines of a fork or tip of a paring knife, poke each eggplant 3-4 times to create shallow steam-release holes. Rub each eggplant with oil.

Step 3

Place pan in oven. Bake 40 minutes.

Step 4

Switch oven from bake to broil (don’t open the oven). Broil on high, 5-8 minutes to char eggplant skin.

Step 5

Remove pan from oven, let stand 5 minutes.