The shinier eggplants are, the fresher they are. The fresher and younger they are, the sweeter they are. Be sure to choose ones that are heavy, which means they haven’t started to dry out inside.
How do I make sure my eggplant is not bitter?
If you are worried that the eggplant might be bitter, slice or cube it, then salt it liberally and allow it to drain for an hour or so before cooking. Putting salt on the eggplant triggers osmosis, which draws out excess moisture and the bitterness along with it.
Which eggplant is the sweetest?
Italian eggplant are more delicate and sweeter than their larger cousins, and their smaller size makes them a good choice for stuffing, roasting, and broiling. Chinese eggplant are easily identified by their pale violet skin and slender, cylindrical shape. They have the most delicate flavor of all the market varieties.
How do you tell if an eggplant is ripe?
Ripe eggplants should be firm but not hard. Flesh should be white with a slight green tint (orange eggplants ripen orange/green inside). If you are unsure of your eggplant’s ripeness, cut one crosswise and check the seeds. They should be clearly visible.
What does it mean when eggplant tastes bitter?
The flesh can be bitter too because of the anthocyanin compound found in the flesh of the eggplants. The older the eggplants, the more it accumulates this compound causing them to be bitter. Older eggplants also have larger and mature seeds which can be the cause of its bitterness.
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.
Why do you soak eggplant in salt water?
Salting: Salting removes excess liquid and some of the bitterness. Today’s eggplants are bred for mildness, though, so it’s not as important as it used to be (if you are frying eggplant, salting will ensure a creamy texture and rich flavor). This method works for eggplant slices, cubes, or planks.
What to look for when buying eggplants?
“Eggplant should be slightly firm but not hard,” says Leone. In other words, if you push on it with your finger and the veggie feels very soft, or you’re able to puncture the skin, it’s too far gone. A perfectly ripe eggplant will not have as much give when touched as a ripe tomato or peach.
What is the tastiest eggplant?
Sweet, tender, flavorful and creamy, Fairy Tale are simply the best eggplants we’ve ever tasted,” says Taylor. This quick-cooking variety is so delicious that it doesn’t even need to be salted. Taylor suggests slicing them lengthwise, then tossing them into stir-fries or sautés, or skewering them on the grill.
Do different eggplants taste different?
From Japanese to Italian to Thai
Some are sweeter than others, or more bitter. You’ll find greener varieties, as well as white. There are varieties with a lot of stripes while others are completely solid in color. The flavor is generally consistent, but there is more range than most people realize.
Do eggplants ripen after being picked?
You can ripen eggplants after harvesting, but results vary, depending on the problem. Ripen them on the counter at room temperature. It helps to put the eggplants in a paper bag where they should ripen within a few days.
Will eggplant ripen after picking?
Eggplants do not ripen off the vine and deteriorate rapidly, becoming spongy. Eat the eggplant as soon as possible after picking it. You can store it overnight at room temperature.
Can you eat eggplant skin?
Eggplant skin is edible and rich in antioxidants, yet if you are preparing soup, baba ganoush, or other recipes that call for peeled eggplant, peeling the eggplant is easy.
Should you peel eggplant before cooking?
While the skin of a small young eggplant is edible, the skin becomes bitter on larger or older eggplants and should be peeled. When in doubt, the answer to, “Do you peel eggplant before cooking?” is yes, peel it.
Can bitter eggplant make you sick?
Luckily, the answer is yes! While the leaves and flowers can be toxic, the eggplant itself is safe to consume both raw and cooked, and the compound that some might be sensitive to, solanine, is only toxic when consumed in large quantities.
Is it necessary to salt eggplant before cooking?
Not necessarily; it depends on what you’re looking for in the finished dish. Though salting works when you want the eggplant to be creamy and tender — such as with parmigiana — in those cases where you want the eggplant to retain its shape and have a slightly firmer texture — such as ratatouille — you can skip it.
Why is eggplant not good for you?
Eggplants are part of the nightshade family. Nightshades contain alkaloids, including solanine, which can be toxic. Solanine protects these plants while they are still developing. Eating the leaves or tubers of these plants can lead to symptoms such as burning in the throat, nausea and vomiting, and heart arrhythmias.
How long does it take to cook eggplant?
Roast the eggplant in a preheated oven at 400ºF/200ºC until the skin gets wrinkly and begins to collapse – which means the flesh inside has become lovely and tender – usually between 45-60 minutes.
Do I need to salt both sides of eggplant?
Method 1: Sweating Eggplants
Sprinkle eggplant with salt: Generously sprinkle eggplant slices* with one to two teaspoons of salt, being sure to cover season them on both sides. All the eggplant slices sweat: Place the seasoned eggplant in a colander for 30 minutes to an hour.
How do you cook eggplant properly?
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
- Slice the eggplant crosswise to make circles, about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thick.
- Arrange the eggplant slices on an extra large baking sheet in a single layer.
- Roast the eggplant slices in the oven for about 30-35 minutes, until soft and golden.
Which is better male or female eggplant?
Source: The Cook’s Thesaurus, by Lori Alden. Despite the ages old, old-wives tale that there are male and female eggplants and the male of the species is better eating – detected because it has an “outie” blossom end as opposed to the female “innie” blossom end – there is no such thing.
Gerardo Gonzalez loves cooking. He became interested in it at a young age, and has been honing his skills ever since. He enjoys experimenting with new recipes, and is always looking for ways to improve his technique.
Gerardo’s friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of his delicious cooking. They always enjoy trying out his latest creations, and often give him feedback on how he can make them even better. Gerardo takes their input to heart, and uses it to continue refining his culinary skills.