The name eggplant is used mainly in the USA and New Zealand while in South Asian and South African countries, this food item is commonly referred to as brinjal.
Many people have the misconception that the eggplant is a vegetable when it is, in fact, a fruit. Purple in color and very spongy in texture, this magical fruit is planted worldwide and comes with a lot of health benefits.
It is used in many recipes, with people of different origins cooking it in a variety of ways.
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On its own, eggplant has a very bland taste and hence, how it tastes depends entirely on the ingredients that it is cooked with.
If not handled properly, it can be very bitter in taste. Many people believe that it tastes like zucchini, so if we had to name one food item it tastes the closest to, we’d have to say zucchini.
Due to its absorbent quality, eggplant tastes different in each recipe it is cooked with.
What does an eggplant look like?
An eggplant comprises of the following:
- SKIN: The eggplant is known for its dark purple, thin skin, which is a little bitter in taste but rich in antioxidants. Most recipes do use the skin of the eggplant but in case of a larger eggplant, the skin can be tough and bitter and thus, is better off removed and discarded. Young, small eggplants have beautiful skin that is ideal for braising or skillet frying.
- FLESH: The flesh of the eggplant is very spongy; it can easily absorb any flavor and oil. It can be given any flavor you like and cooked with a variety of other vegetables. Ideally, the flesh should be creamy and pale, without any brown portions. If you find any brown spots, make sure to remove them before cooking the eggplant, to avoid an unpleasant bitter taste.
- SEEDS: The eggplant has seeds that are edible. When you purchase an eggplant that is very fresh, the seeds are not visible nor are they bitter in taste. On the other hand, eggplants that are mature have visible seeds that are brown in color and quite bitter in taste — these must be removed while cooking otherwise they will spoil the taste.
Can eggplants be stored?
Because of their soft and squishy nature, eggplants cannot be stored for long periods of time. It is best to use them within 3-4 days for the best taste. They are best stored in a cool and dry place.
What Does EggPlant Taste Like? & How Can Eggplants Be Cooked?
Now that we have intrigued you enough to want to try eggplants, let’s discuss a few delicious ways to cook it:
Eggplant curry recipe
This is a vegetarian curry recipe used in South Asia that has a unique, sour taste.
Ingredients:
- 3 Eggplants
- 2 Potatoes
- 2 Tomatoes
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- Half a cup of cooking oil
Recipe:
Cut the eggplants, potatoes, tomatoes into cubes.
First, heat up oil in a pan and add the tomatoes, salt, and red chili powder. Add a little water and let the tomato mixture cook until it looks like a puree.
Next, add in the potatoes and fry for 2-3 minutes and then add some water to cook them through on a medium flame.
Once the potatoes are soft, mix in the cubed eggplant, cover and let it cook for 10 minutes. Eggplant and potato curry is ready to be served.
Moroccan eggplant salad
Ingredients:
- 1 large eggplant, unpeeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 garlic cloves
- Water 5 cups
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1-2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp paprika powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- Salt to taste.
Recipe:
Put water in a pan, add the garlic cloves and the eggplant and bring it to boil. Cook it for 10 minutes or until the eggplant is tender and then strain the water. Next, put the eggplant in a bowl with the remaining ingredients, mix and enjoy!
Fettuccine with grilled eggplant and ricotta cheese
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Ricotta cheese
- 2 small eggplants cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- Black pepper to taste
- Salt to taste
- Crushed red pepper
- 18-ounce fettuccine
- 2 tsp red wine vinegar
Recipe:
Cook fettuccine according to the directions provided on the pack, making sure to save a half cup of the strained water from the pasta. In another pan, grill the eggplant cubes, seasoning with salt and black pepper.
Once the eggplant is cooked through, it is time to mix everything together. Add all the ingredients along with the pasta and the strained water in the pan and mix well. In the end, mix in the ricotta cheese and red pepper and serve.
Eggplant parmesan
Ingredients:
- 3 eggplants, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 eggs beaten
- 4 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 6 cups spaghetti sauce
- ½ tsp basil
- 1 pack mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
Recipe:
Preheat the oven to 175 degrees Celsius.
Dip the sliced eggplants into the egg mixture and then the bread crumbs. Now bake each side one by one, allowing five minutes on each side.
In a baking dish, first put a layer of the spaghetti sauce, then the eggplants slices on top. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese. Now, repeat the same steps: put a layer of sauce then the remaining eggplants, followed by the cheese. Lastly, sprinkle the basil leaves on top. Bake in the preheated oven till the top appears golden brown or for 35 minutes maximum.
Your eggplant with parmesan cheese is ready to be served. This dish is a favorite of many people.
Conclusion For What Does EggPlant Taste Like?
Eggplant is a versatile fruit that can be incorporated in so many different recipes. It has a delicate taste that can be further enhanced by cooking it with other ingredients such as cheese, tomatoes, and chilies.
Not only that, but it also holds great nutritional value, containing 5% of our daily fiber requirement in every serving, as well as being rich in antioxidants, vitamin B6, copper and magnesium.
Do give some of the above recipes a try to discover its unique taste; you might just fall in love with the eggplant!
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