Preheat oven to 180°C. Cut the two slices of bread into cubes. Transfer to a bowl, add olive oil and dried basil and toss until evenly coated. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake for approximately 10 min.

Trim the ends off the eggplants, cut into thick slices and season well with salt. Transfer to a baking sheet, brush the slices with olive oil and transfer to the oven to cook for approx 35 min.

Cut mozzarella into thick slices.Cut the ham.Add ground hazelnuts and breadcrumbs to a deep plate and mix well. Crack the eggs into another deep plat, season with salt and whisk well. Add flour to a third deep plate. Season eggplant slices with salt. Place two rounds of ham on top of half the eggplant slices, followed by a slice of mozzarella. Place remaining eggplant slices on top. Dredge each eggplant cordon bleu in flour, then the egg, and then the hazelnut-breadcrumbs mix.

Fry the eggplant cordon bleus in batches for approx 2-3 min. on each side.