I agree with the others. I learned a Greek version and there was no bay or cinnamon, but there was a pinch of sugar (always a good little addition to any dish with cooked tomatoes). Since this recipe says it was "printed with permission from Stephanie Alexander's Cook's Companion App" this cook can be criticized only for claiming it to be a "classic" recipe (and misuse of the apostrophe in the narrative). It is, rather, Stephanie Alexander who has taken liberties with the "classic" recipe, telling you to scoop out the flesh, saying it's ok to add meat, rice, currants and/or nuts! This is one of a million possible versions of stuffed eggplant, but it is most certainly not Imam Baldi!

As an Armenian I have been making this for years. Sermin is right. There is no cinnamon, pine nuts, or meat in a traditional dish. I only use fresh tomatoes in the summer when they're at their best. The rest of the year I use canned whole tomatoes and it's still delicious.