If you want to use it for dips, prick the whole eggplant all over with a fork, and roast whole on a sheet pan in a 400°F oven until completely soft. Then scrape the eggplant out of the skin and cool the mash to room temperature before storing in a freezer container or bag.
How do you preserve raw eggplant?
To freeze eggplant:
- Slice the eggplant into 1-inch rounds. Place rounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 350° for about 15 minutes. Allow the rounds to cool completely (do NOT skip this step).
- Place slices in a freezer-safe bag.
- Label with the date and freeze up to eight months.
Can you freeze eggplant whole?
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.
How do you store a whole eggplant?
Keep the eggplant out of direct sunlight and place it in a cool room, about 54 degrees Fahrenheit. Garages, basements, or other spaces with cold temperatures make for ideal conditions. The eggplant will stay fresh for four days. Refrigerate: You can store eggplants in the crisper drawer for up to one week.
Do you have to blanch eggplant before freezing?
Blanching kills the enzymes that cause eggplants to lose their texture and flavor over time. Eggplant also has a high water content, so it benefits from being cooked slightly before freezing.
What do you do with an abundance of eggplant?
Serve the roasted eggplant on its own or as part of an antipasto platter, fold it into pastas, layer it over pizza dough or in a vegetable tart, or toss it with other roasted vegetables and serve it as a salad.
Can you freeze eggplant without cooking it?
Eggplant can be frozen if you intend to cook it after thawing it out. To freeze eggplant, you need to clean it, cut it into slices, and blanch it before placing it in the freezer. Alternatively, you can also freeze baked eggplant or slices of eggplant Parmesan.
How do you defrost frozen eggplant?
If you want to thaw your eggplants, you can take them out of the freezer and place them in the fridge for a few hours. However, you can also just add your slices straight into the pan so it can thaw while cooking.
Can you fry frozen eggplant?
Slip the frozen eggplant into ziptop bags, removing as much air as possible, and label them. The slices can be baked or fried straight from the freezer, no need to thaw.
Does cooked eggplant freeze well?
Cook First, Then Freeze
To get the best results, you’ll want to fire up the oven before heading to the freezer. Because of its high water content, eggplant doesn’t freeze well raw. It benefits from being cooked (even just partially) first.
Should whole eggplant be refrigerated?
Eggplants do not store well for long periods of time. Without refrigeration, eggplants can be stored in a cool, dry place for 1 or 2 days. If you don’t intend to eat the eggplant within 2 days, it should be refrigerated.
How long does whole eggplant last in fridge?
How Long Does Eggplant Last?
| Pantry | Fridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Eggplant (whole) | 3 – 4 days | 7 days |
| Eggplant (cut) | 3 – 4 days | |
| Eggplant (cooked) | 3 – 4 days |
How long do you blanch eggplant before freezing?
Blanch the eggplant slices for 4 minutes, cool, and package in freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible before sealing bags.
How many minutes do you blanch eggplant?
four minutes
Once the water has reached a rolling boil, drop the eggplant rounds into the pot, and blanch them for four minutes. This will kill any bacteria that may be present, and stop the enzyme action, so they hold up well in the freezer. Prep a large bowl of ice water while the eggplant is blanching.
Can you vacuum seal eggplant?
To preserve eggplant for longer, use a vacuum sealer. A vacuum sealer sucks all the air out of the bag. Another way to do this is by sucking out as much air as possible with a plastic straw. If you wish to prevent the eggplant slices from sticking together, wrap them individually in a small sheet of plastic wrap.
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.
Can I 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.
Why do you soak eggplant 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.
Can you put eggplant in air fryer?
Place the eggplant in the Air Fryer basket. Cook at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, shaking halfway through. That is it! With just these easy steps you are on your way to enjoying delicious, flavorful Air Fryer Eggplant.
How do you reheat frozen eggplant?
To reheat frozen eggplant parmesan, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). If the dish is in a plastic container, transfer the contents to an oven-safe dish. Cover the dish with foil to retain some moisture and heat until the sauce starts to bubble in the corners, around 60 minutes from frozen.
Can you cook frozen eggplant parm?
KEEP FROZEN UNTIL READY TO USE. REMOVE ENTRÉE FROM CARTON. PLACE TRAY ON COOKIE SHEET ON CENTER RACK OF OVEN (6-8″ FROM HEATING ELEMENT). COOK WITH FILM ON FOR 55-60 MINUTES.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.