Moroccan Eggplant Salad (Zaalouk)

Eggplant is a beautiful vegetable which is sweet and tender and takes on the flavors of the fresh herbs, spices and sauces it is cooked with; it is my favorite vegetable.  I always watched my Mom cook eggplant dishes because she would prepare it in many different ways.  But the best part was that the next day she would make me a sandwich for school. All morning in class all I could think about was the amazing eggplant sandwich.   Always wished she had made me 2 sandwiches instead of one.