In this article, we will go through different aspects of Eggplants, such as what it tastes like, how you can cook the vegetable, the health benefits of Eggplants etc.
We will also review several Eggplant queries in the last section of the article.
Table of Contents
What Is An Eggplant?
Eggplant, also known as Brinjal or Aubergine, is a species from the Solanaceae nightshade family.
Eggplants are grown worldwide because of their edible fruit.
The spongy and purple plant is used in many cuisines worldwide.
While Eggplant is considered a vegetable, it is a berry.
What Does Eggplant Taste Like?
Eggplant’s flavor is sweet, mild and tender, similar to Zucchini or Squash.
The plant also has a bit of vegetal bitterness and can absorb flavors when it is cooked.
Raw Eggplants have a firm and spongy texture.
It becomes extremely tender when the vegetable is cooked, especially braised, smoked or fried.
How Is Eggplant Made?
Eggplants are usually salted before being used in a recipe so that all the bitter juices are drawn out of the vegetable.
However, if the Eggplant is fresh, this process can be skipped, but if the plant’s seeds are hard or too defined, then it should be salted.
Here is how you do it:
Step # 1
Chop or slice the Eggplant, and evenly sprinkle the salt on the vegetable.
Place a colander over a plate, and transfer the Eggplant to the plate.
Set the vegetable aside for half an hour to drain; this will bring out all the bitter juices from the Eggplant.
Step # 2
Next, place the colander in the sink or over a large bowl, and rinse each piece of the chopped or sliced Eggplant under cold water.
Remove all the salt from the Eggplant and drain it.
Step # 3
Transfer the rinsed vegetable to a clean surface, pat it, and dry it with a cloth or paper towel.
The Eggplant is ready to cook so you can use it in your favorite recipe.
However, you should always keep the Eggplant skin on because it contains nutrients and vitamins.
Trim each side of the Eggplant, and cut the vegetable into 1 cm thick slices, which are ideal for grilling.
You can also cut the Eggplant into thick quarters, which will make it perfect for salads, Ratatouille, and salads.
How Do You Cook Eggplant?
Here are some different ways you can cook Eggplants:
Roasting
Before roasting an Eggplant, you must cut the vegetables into cubes/slices.
Once you have salted and sliced the Eggplant, toss it into olive oil.
You can also brush the Eggplant with olive oil.
Lay out the cubes/slices of the Eggplant onto a baking sheet.
If you use halved Eggplant, you can lay the fleshy side downwards on the baking sheet.
Preheat the oven to a temperature of 200 Degrees Celsius or 400 Degrees Fahrenheit for around 25 to 32 minutes.
Flip the vegetables halfway through the cooking process.
You can skip flipping by cooking the Eggplants for 35 to 40 minutes.
However, how well the Eggplants roast will depend on your oven.
Broiling
If you have sliced Eggplants into coin-like shapes, you can also broil them.
Place the rested/salted Eggplants on a baking sheet in a single layer, and broil for about 4 to 6 minutes per side.
Cook until the centre of the vegetable is tender and has a golden brown color.
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Air Frying
Once again, lay the Eggplants on a baking tray in a single layer, and ensure a bit of space between the Eggplant slices.
Preheat the Air fryer to a temperature of 200 Degrees Celsius or 400 Degrees Fahrenheit, and cook the slices of Eggplants in the fryer for around 20 minutes.
Flip the veggies once halfway through the cooking process.
Cook the cubes/slices in batches, but don’t worry about the first batch of slices/cubes going cold.
Once all the Eggplant batches are ready, Air fry them again for 3 to 4 minutes.
When the veggies are ready, please serve them.
What Do You Eat Eggplant With?
Here is what you can serve with Eggplants:
Eggplant Parmigiana With Mozzarella And Tomato
The best way to eat Eggplants is in a dish of Parmigiana.
Alternate layers of fried Eggplants are dressed with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce.
This dish is one of the most successful matches for Eggplants.
Garlic
Pan-tossed Eggplant will never be good without garlic.
When garlic and Eggplants are cooked together, they release an irresistible flavor.
Sesame
Sesame and Eggplants come together in some recipes, such as the Baha Ghanoush, a famous North African and Middle Eastern dish.
In this dish, tahini paste is mixed with Eggplants and sesame.
Eggplant Caponata With Capers And Olives
Caponata is an iconic Italian Eggplant dish.
This dish is typically paired with large green or black olives, capers and celery.
Lamb
You can also pair Eggplant puree with roasted lamb nuggets.
This combination is also part of a Turkish dish called Hukar Bengendi.
You can also shred pieces of the lamb and use them to stuff the Eggplants and bake them in the oven.
You can serve the baked Eggplants with acidic and thick yoghurt.
Herbs
Eggplants go well with herbs such as oregano, mint, chives, basil and marjoram.
Red Wine
Red wines and Eggplants are a great pairing.
Red wine is capable of bringing out the real flavor of Eggplants.
Goat Cheese
While we have already discussed pairing Eggplants with mozzarella, you can also pair it with goat cheese.
You can roast fresh goat cheese and Eggplants together.
Try the roasted Eggplant and goat cheese dish with fresh mint leaves.
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Cinnamon And Nutmeg
A thick slice of Eggplant, fried in olive oil and sprinkled with cinnamon, nutmeg and a pinch of brown sugar, makes a delicious dessert.
Artichoke
The Eggplant’s bitter notes are completely transformed into a complex flavor when diced and tossed with artichoke.
Is Eggplant Good For You?
Eggplants have been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
In Ayurvedic medicine, Eggplants treat diseases such as asthma and diabetes.
While Eggplants are not the most nutritious veggie, they contain essential nutrients such as a large quantity of potassium and high fiber content.
The total calories in an Eggplant are just 25, whereas the fat content is less than 1 gram per serving, so it is a guilt-free vegetable.
Eggplants also have Vitamin C and Vitamin A; both are antioxidants which protect the cells from free radicals and damage.
Polyphenols, a natural plant chemical, are also found in Eggplants, enabling cells to process sugar, especially if you have Diabetes efficiently.
While studies in labs suggest many health benefits of Eggplants, more research is required before we can conclude.
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Related Questions About Eggplant?
Are There Risks Of Eating Eggplants?
Nightshade vegetables such as Eggplants have chemical solanine, which can make illnesses like arthritis worse and cause inflammation in the body.
While there is no evidence that the low content of solanine in Eggplants can worsen diseases, if you are feeling constant joint pain, especially after you eat Eggplants, it is better to avoid the vegetable.
Is Eggplant Beneficial For The Skin?
The water content of an Eggplant is extremely high, and it is also rich in Vitamin C, which is required for glowing skin.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed everything related to an Eggplant, such as its taste, how it is cooked, the foods you can pair with it etc.
Hopefully, this article will inspire you to try an Eggplant or add it to your diet.
Sources:
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