How to Buy Eggplant

Eggplant, also known as aubergine, is used for many tasty dishes. It is especially used in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Eastern cooking, where the strong flavor and texture of eggplant is nicely meshed with strong spices and plenty of olive oil. When buying an eggplant, it's important to know what to look for.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Knowing Kinds of Eggplants

1
Be aware that eggplants come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
- The sizes include large and fat eggplants, skinny small long eggplants and small round eggplants.
- The colors include: Purple, dark purple, green, cream, yellow and colors in between.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Picking Good Eggplants

1
Choose firm and plump eggplants. If there is any softness, this indicates that the flesh is already starting to go off.
- Softness in some spots can be salvaged by cutting around those areas but since it reduces the amount of flesh you'll end up with, ensure that you get them for a total bargain if they're like this.
2
Look for eggplants that are shiny or glossy and smooth. There should be no rough or brown patches anywhere on the fruit. If bruised or scarred, do not buy.
3
Look for the distinctive cleft at the wider end of the eggplant.
4
Check the cap. This is also known as the calyx. This should be sitting tightly, looking fresh and mold-free.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Using Eggplants

1
Cook eggplant. Eggplants are bland and inedible raw. Their virtue lies in their ability to absorb other flavors, distribute the flavors through a dish and offer a meat-like texture that makes the dish substantial. In Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Indian cooking, they are often accompanied by tomatoes, onion and varied spices.
2
Match eggplants to the flavors they go best with. Eggplants are best enjoyed when they marry well with the foods they're being cooked with. Eggplants are a great match for the following:
- Dairy: Cheesy or creamy dishes; sour cream
- Herbs: Basil, coriander/cilantro, garlic, mint, parsley (pesto on eggplant is especially tasty)
- Spices: Coriander/cilantro, cumin, ginger
- Oils: Olive oil (lots of it!)
- Other: Tomatoes
- Meat: Lamb, beef, mince.
3
Find eggplant recipes. Some great ones include:
- Baked eggplant
- Fried eggplant
- Grilled eggplant
- Stuffed eggplant.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Preparing Eggplants

1
Use young, fresh eggplants without peeling or degorging. Degorging is the process of salting and draining the eggplant, which is needed in older and bigger fruits due to their bitterness and also reduces the amount of oil absorbed by the eggplant flesh. The eggplant can also be blanched, if needed; follow the instructions of your recipe.
2
Salt or degorge the eggplant. This is used for larger and older eggplants and to reduce the uptake of too much oil during cooking. (Note: The eggplant will still absorb plenty of oil, just not as much as without the salting.)
- Clean the eggplant.
- Cut it into slices. The thickness should reflect the end use in the recipe.
  - Note that for roasting, you're more likely to use halves instead and cut cross-hatches across each half. The rest of the method here still applies.
- Line the slices inside a colander.
- Sprinkle with salt. Be generous, most will be washed off.
- Put a plate onto the slices. The weight helps to squash out excess liquid in the slices.
- Set aside for half an hour.
- Rinse well under cold running water.
- Dab or pat dry with paper towels.

Community Q&A

Question

When I cut into an eggplant, is it supposed to have darker seeds?

Community Answer

Yes, it is.
Question

What if the eggplant is brown inside?

Community Answer

It may be spoiled.
Question

Can I fry my large slices of eggplant, which I use as lasagna sheets, a couple days before I construct the beef lasagna?

Michele

Top Answerer

I wouldn’t. Frying anything and then letting it sit only results in a soggy mess. It’s always best to prepare eggplant fresh as you’re making your eggplant lasagna.