Eggplant (Aubergine) – learn how to buy, store and cook this vegetable

Eggplant (Aubergine) – learn how to buy, store and cook this vegetable

Whether you choose to grill it, roast it, or bake it, the slightly sweet, fiber-rich eggplant can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes utilizing various cooking techniques. Eggplant has a mild flavor and “meaty” texture and is available year-round, hitting its peak from July to October. Because of its robust flavor and texture, it makes the perfect addition to stews, casseroles, and vegetarian main dishes. Here are a few tips for buying, storing, and cooking eggplant.

Buying and Storing Eggplant

The most common eggplants, which are dark purple, are known as American, or globe eggplants. But there are also Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Italian, and Spanish varieties that come in a whole host of shapes, sizes, and colors, including squat and tear-shaped, canary yellow, bright orange, and white, as well as striated.

When shopping for eggplants, be sure to look for those that are firm, heavy, and smooth. Eggplants with wrinkled or flabby-looking skin will most likely be bitter-tasting. To check for freshness, simply press the vegetable with your thumb; the indentation should fill up rapidly if the eggplant is fresh.

Eggplants should be kept in a cool, dry place and used within a day or two of purchasing. It's not necessary to refrigerate them if you'll be using them right away, though you can store them in the fridge for up to a week (as long as you wrap tightly in plastic wrap).

Cooking Eggplant

Eggplant can be cooked and eaten with or without its skin. If you want to eat it without the skin, you can peel it before cooking or choose to scoop out the flesh when you’re ready to eat. The flesh of eggplant begins to turn brown when exposed to air, so avoid cutting the vegetable until you're ready to cook. Eggplant can be added to soups, stews, and casseroles, or eaten on its own.

Here are a few ideas on how to enjoy eggplant:

• Grill whole eggplant (with a couple of holes poked in it to let steam escape) or grill it halved or sliced with a light coating of extra-virgin olive oil and a sprinkling of herbs.
• Roast eggplant slices for sandwiches or add cooked cubed eggplant to a tomato sauce and serve with whole-wheat pasta
• Add cooked and mashed eggplant to your favorite hummus recipe.
• Steam halved or cubed eggplant, drizzle with a little sesame oil, some reduced-sodium soy sauce, and vinegar for a delicious appetizer.
• For more recipes, type the word eggplant in the search tab (top left hand corner of this BLOG).