How Do You Preserve Chinese Eggplant?

Sprinkle the cut side of the halved eggplant liberally with salt. Place cut side down on a paper-towel-lined baking tray for about 30 minutes. Once the moisture has seeped out, transfer eggplants, cut side down, to a 9×13 baking dish (they will overlap, which is alright, as they will shrink as they cook).

What is the best way to store Chinese eggplant?

Store eggplants in a shady cupboard or pantry. If you have room in a cupboard or pantry, Kitchn recommends you store eggplants in there. This comes in handy in the summer, when your kitchen might be warmer than usual.

Is there a way to preserve eggplant?

Freeze Eggplant Purée
Once cool, halve the eggplant, scoop out the flesh, and freeze in freezer bags or containers. No matter which method you use, when stored properly, eggplant will last for up to one year in the freezer.

How do you preserve eggplant for later use?

Just pierce the eggplant with a fork and roast the whole thing at 400° until it starts to collapse. After it has cooled, cut the eggplant and scoop the purée into freezer-safe bags. Label with the date and freeze up to eight months. When you’re ready to use the eggplant, use frozen or thaw in the fridge overnight.

How do you store eggplant for a long time?

The best place to store eggplant is not in the refrigerator, but at room temperature, where it’s likely to last longer. Keep eggplant in a cool spot, away from direct sunlight, and use it as soon as possible after harvesting or buying.

Should you peel Chinese eggplant?

Chinese eggplant is thin and long, making it very easy to cut into pieces. There’s no need to peel this variety since the skins cook up very quickly. You can cut them however you prefer (round slices, cubes, etc), but traditionally, this type of dish uses eggplant that’s cut into thick matchsticks.

Does Chinese eggplant need to be salted?

Because they have fewer seeds, Chinese eggplants are less bitter than globes and do not need to be salted. Salt is used to draw out bitterness, but this variety is naturally sweet.

Can you freeze Chinese eggplant?

While all eggplants become more watery after freezing, some types freeze better than others. Black varieties usually hold up better after freezing than Chinese and Thai eggplants.

What can I do with too many eggplants?

Lengthwise-sliced eggplant pieces can be pan-fried (or grilled or roasted or broiled), stuffed with ricotta or other cheeses, rolled, and baked into involtini with tomato sauce. Halved Chinese (or any long, slender variety) eggplants can be marinated and microwaved until tender.

Can I freeze eggplant without blanching?

Blanching destroys enzymes in the eggplant that cause the vegetable to break down over time. If you do not blanch the eggplant, it will begin losing nutritional value, color, and flavor within a month, even if you freeze it. You can safely use the same water to blanch multiple batches of eggplant up to five times.

Can I freeze raw eggplant?

Yes! You can absolutely freeze eggplant. Eggplant that has been frozen and thawed will never be exactly like fresh eggplant, but there are some things you can do to preserve the texture and taste.

What’s the best way to freeze eggplant?

Transfer the eggplant to a baking sheet.
The flash freeze will prevent the eggplant slices from sticking together. (Alternatively, you can place the eggplant slices straight into a freezer bag or airtight container, just make sure that the slices are separated by wax paper.)

Can you dehydrate eggplant?

You can dehydrate just about any type of food, whether it be a fruit, vegetable, herb, or spice in a food dehydrator! Eggplant is no exception.

Can you fry eggplant and freeze it?

Place the fried eggplant on a baking sheet, and put it in the freezer for two hours so that each individual slice freezes. Once the fried eggplant is frozen, you can transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It will keep for about three to four months.

How do you freeze eggplant without cooking it?

Lay the rounds on a cookie sheet, and flash freeze them, or if you prefer, bread the rounds first. You can dip them in egg then bread them with homemade Italian breadcrumbs. Once the eggplant is frozen, transfer it to freezer bags.

Should eggplant be stored in refrigerator?

Okay, Fine … in the Fridge
While the refrigerator isn’t the best storage spot for eggplants, if your kitchen does get hot and humid, it might be the best alternative to countertop or cupboard storage. Refrigerate but use as quickly as possible to prevent soft spots.

What is Chinese eggplant good for?

Nutritional value: Chinese eggplants contain manganese, potassium, and vitamin B6. They also have anthocyanins which give the eggplant a deep purple color and are known for its antioxidant properties.

What is the difference between eggplant and Chinese eggplant?

China is the world’s top producer and consumer of eggplant, so it’s apt that the Chinese eggplant variety is so distinct. It has a lighter, almost pastel exterior, with a white flesh and sweeter taste that fits its appearance. The Chinese variety contains fewer seeds than globe eggplants, and are therefore less bitter.

What is another name for Chinese eggplant?

In Chinese cuisine, eggplants are known as qiézi (茄子).

Why do u Soak eggplant in salt water?

Salting eliminates bitter flavors that come from storing your eggplants too long or using older eggplants. Today’s eggplants may be sweeter, but they still have some bitter liquid inside, especially if they are not fresh. Fried eggplant is crispier and more savory when it’s been pre-salted.

Why do you soak eggplant in water before cooking?

Eggplant works like a sponge, soaking up the milk into the flesh of the fruit. The final result is creamy and juicy, and the bitterness is all gone. The quickest way to make your eggplants less bitter is to scoop out and throw away the seeds of the fruit.