Claudia Sanders' Eggplant Casserole (Mock Oysters)

Ingredients

• 1 pint half-and-half (approximate)
• 1 stick butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups eggplant, peeled and cut into small pieces (about 1/2-inch cubes)
• 88 single saltine cracker squares or 2 individual packs saltines, broken into crumbs