Q&A for How to Cook Eggplant

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I store cooked eggplant? And for how long?
    Community Answer
    Cooked eggplant can be stored either refrigerated or frozen. If refrigerating it, store within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it inside of an airtight container. It doesn't need to be wrapped unless you don't have an airtight container, in which case cover it with either plastic food wrap or kitchen foil, wrapping as tightly as you can without squashing the cooked flesh. It will keep for 2 to 5 days refrigerated. If freezing, place inside quality freezer bags or an airtight container suitable for freezing. Label and date so that you remember when it went in. Frozen cooked eggplant will keep for up to 10 to 12 months maximum. However, it is best used earlier, as the longer it is kept, the more flavor it will lose.
  • Question
    After boiling the eggplant, may I then fry it?
    Community Answer
    No. After boiling, it won't have the proper consistency for frying.
  • Question
    Can you eat the skin of an eggplant?
    Community Answer
    Yes, the skin of eggplant is safe to eat. However, the eggplant skin gets tougher with age, so it's recommended that you use young eggplants if you're keeping the skin or peel intact, as part of the dish. Smaller eggplants are also sweeter.
  • Question
    Can an eggplant explode prior to putting it into boiling water?
    Community Answer
    No, it would be the heat that would make it explode. If boiling is the way you're cooking it, and it's stored at a relatively decent temperature, it will be fine.
  • Question
    Can you parboil sliced eggplant prior to using in moussaka rather than frying?
    Community Answer
    Parboiling isn't ideal for eggplant but to get around the problem of having a lot of oil in the eggplant slices as a result of frying, you can broil or grill the eggplant slices instead. You still need some oil but only a thin layer of olive oil brushed onto each side of the eggplant slices. This will cook the eggplant slices sufficiently and they will be just as good when added to the moussaka.
  • Question
    Do you have to peel eggplant before you cook it?
    Community Answer
    No, you do not have to. The skin on an eggplant is perfectly safe to eat, and it also adds an aesthetic value to the dish. You can peel it before cooking if you really want to, however.
  • Question
    Can I use in this in a cream soup?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can.
  • Question
    How does eggplant taste like?
    Community Answer
    Eggplant has a very mild flavor, similar to that of zuchinni. It picks up other flavors easily, making it an excellent choice for marinating.
  • Question
    Are eggplants in a salad something that would work without being cooked first?
    Community Answer
    Raw eggplant is not very palatable. It's a bit astringent and bitter as well as being spongy to chew. It needs to be cooked or marinated before it can be used in a salad.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article