The Best Eggplant Patties

Name: The Best Eggplant Patties
Ingredients: 1 large eggplant (or 2 medium), peeled and diced; 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1 small onion (or 2 scallions), thinly sliced; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1 cup / 3.5 oz / 100 gr grated Dubliner cheese (or sharp Cheddar)*; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 1 teaspoon fine grain sea salt; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 cup / 3.4 oz / 96 gr almond meal (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)