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60+ Eggplant Recipes

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Eggplant recipes make the most of a bumper crop of summer eggplant.  We only plant 2 to 3 plants each year, but somehow, we always harvest eggplant by the wheelbarrow load!

Harvest of Eggplant

When faced with a generous crop of eggplant, a good arsenal of recipes is a valuable asset. Spanning from breakfast to dinner and dessert, eggplant can be utilized in a wide variety of dishes, appetizers and preserves.

Did you know eggplant is technically a berry? It is! These purple and occasionally white fruits come from a single flower, so like cucumbers and melons, they are botanically classified as berries.

A relative of potatoes, peppers and tomatoes, the eggplant is referred to by many names. Also called aubergine, brinjal and garden egg, eggplants are an eyecatching and nutritious fruit. Rich in fiber and antioxidants, the eggplant (Solanum melongena) is actually native to Asia, but grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 12.

Eggplants must be planted after all danger of frost has passed as they are quite sensitive to cooler temperatures. Many recommend adding black plastic mulch to raise soil temperatures or growing in dark-colored containers to account for this.

Eggplants flourish in soil temperatures of 75ºF. Plants grow up to 3 feet tall and need to be staked like tomatoes to support the large, heavy fruit.

If growing your own eggplant, one important thing to note is that the leaves, roots and flowers are toxic to humans and pets (even to horses). Only the fruits and seeds are edible, although they should not be consumed raw. Keep this in mind when choosing a good location to grow eggplant.

Choosing the Best Eggplant

Come across something aubergine-like already growing and wondering if it’s an eggplant? The leaves and stems of eggplant are covered in star-shaped hair and occasionally prickly. The often violet-colored flowers grow singly and are star-shaped. The fruit is shiny and glossy but will vary in color depending on the cultivar. Fruit colors can range from almost-black to deep purple or even white.

Eggplant grows best in sunny locations in which the air temperature is 70ºF to 85ºF. In the South, they boast a long growing season, producing fruit from July to October. For most, eggplant will fruit in the late summer months or early fall, although in some regions, like South Florida, the plant can also fruit in winter due to the milder season.

There are multiple varieties of eggplant, varying in shape and shade from one another. The most common variety seen in grocery stores is Black Beauty which possesses a meaty texture and slightly nutty flavor. Other varieties include Florida Market with large nearly black-colored eggplants and white varieties like Casper, Snowy and Ghostbuster. 

Calliope and Fairy Tale are showier varieties with streaked purple and white fruits while Dancer and Little Fingers are smaller. Certain varieties are better suited to specific regions, so see what is best for your particular climate before simply picking the prettiest plant.

Eggplants should be harvested when the fruit has reached mature size (for most varieties this is 6 to 8 inches long). Fruits with smooth skin and glossy, plump, firm characteristics will have the best flavor. 

Clip off the large glossy fruits with shears to avoid damaging the plant and wear gloves to bypass the prickly hairs on the stems and leaves. Fruits should be picked as they mature – those that are over-mature and past their prime will experience a dulling in color and be bitter, soft and seedy.

Eggplant will keep for a week when stored between 50-55ºF. Fruits can experience chilling injury if refrigerated (eggplants just hate the cold!), so if possible fruits should be stored on a cool countertop, in a wine cooler or in a cellar. This may not be an option for many, so if refrigeration is your only option, wrap eggplant in a paper towel and store it in a crisper drawer.

Eggplant Harvest

My preschooler, wheeling in his eggplant harvest from the garden.

Eggplant Recipes

In flavor, eggplant is very similar to zucchini and summer squash. It is mild, tender and considered somewhat bland by a few. Larger varieties may possess a slight bitterness. The flavor of eggplant often comes from what it is cooked with, as this fruit is highly absorbent.

Although eggplant can be consumed raw in small quantities, it should preferably be cooked. Baking, frying and stewing are popular options but this fruit can also be broiled, grilled, sauteed or stir-fried. You’ll see eggplant in a number of meatless recipes, as the texture of this fruit is similar in consistency to meat. Eggplant acts like a sponge, soaking up the liquids it is cooked in. Feel free to marinate eggplant to take advantage of this feature and add extra flavor to this mild and versatile fruit.

Some recommend peeling the fruit before cooking, but this is only necessary if the skin is tough and bitter as it is on some larger fruits. Additionally, salting eggplant is often seen as a traditional step in preparing eggplant for cooking, but this is generally only needed when frying to draw out moisture.

Fresh Eggplant Recipes

Fresh eggplant can be wielded in a collection of soups, salads and tarts. Consider a creamy roasted eggplant soup topped with chickpea croutons or add tomatoes for a beautifully-hued creation that can be served either hot or cold. Try a grilled eggplant salad of red peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onions, eggplant and fresh herbs for a colorful and flavorful dish. Add feta to this eggplant salad for a delightful addition.

Savory tarts embellished with eggplant are another palatable treat. Combine eggplant with goat cheese, honey and frozen puff pastry, or blend with tomatoes and custard. An eggplant and zucchini tart with tomato-shallot jam is a great way to use up late-summer fruits and vegetables about to go bad. The result is a delicious tart similar to pizza, with more of an appetizer feel that is perfect for sharing.

Eggplant Breakfast Recipes

For fiber-filled morning fare, make an easy eggplant breakfast hash. This quick skillet dish is great on its own or served with a fried egg on top and a dash of hot sauce. An eggplant breakfast frittata is another satisfying option. Packed with potato, cheddar cheese and cherry tomatoes, this dish will surely satiate.

Eggplant breakfast pizzas are another surprising and creative dish. Baby eggplant is sliced, dipped in egg white and rolled in parmesan cheese before being topped with olives and cherry tomatoes and finally baked. Other fantastic breakfast ideas include eggplant omelets, eggy eggplant in a hole and eggplant breakfast bowls. 

Eggplants can even be made into quick and easy eggplant pancakes to serve with sour cream and ketchup. Smashed eggplant can top toast as avocado does or be thinly sliced to make crispy vegan bacon.

Eggplant Savory Main Courses

If you thought eggplant parm was the only dinner dish to make use of this delightful garden fruit, think again. Stews, stir-fries and casseroles can all benefit from multifaceted eggplant. A Lebanese lamb and eggplant stew combined with warming spices is a flavorful and comforting dish as is meat-stuffed oven-roasted eggplant. A simple stir fry or a comforting casserole of fresh herbs, mushrooms, tomatoes, eggplant and bell peppers topped with cheese is another delectable choice.

Italian cuisine can also utilize eggplant. Besides classically baked eggplant parmesan, there are lighter fry-free versions. Pasta dishes include protein-filled eggplant rollatini, 6-ingredient eggplant pasta and creamy pasta in an eggplant walnut sauce. Two more carby options include eggplant mac n cheese or summery wine-braised eggplant pasta with lemon tahini sauce.

For vegan options, consider using eggplant in place of steak, fish and other proteins like lamb. Vegan fish and chips, vegan fish tacos and vegan gyros are all spectacular ideas.

Stews, Stir Fries and Baked Dishes

Pasta & Italian

Vegan

Lebanese Lamb and Eggplant Stew

Lebanese Lamb and Eggplant Stew

Eggplant Side Dishes

For sensational side dishes, consider simple roasted eggplant for a dish that is tender on the inside and beautifully caramelized on the outside. Additionally, sliced and grilled eggplant can be sweet and tangy with the help of a barbecue-style glaze. Eggplant can also be sauteed and caramelized in just 20 minutes for a short-notice side dish.

Pan-fried eggplant topped with a gremolata made from olive oil, garlic, parsley, lemon zest and chili flakes is another spectacular side dish. For even more variety, test out eggplant kimchi, Indian-style spicy eggplant or Israeli cooked eggplant salad.

Eggplant Snack Recipes

When in search of snacks to appease hungry mouths between meals, consider eggplant as a possible solution. Miniature eggplant and feta tarts are a stunning appetizer that combine savory with sweet. Babaganoush or roasted eggplant dip is a traditional snack for sharing, best served with either crackers or veggies. Caponata (eggplant relish) can be used as a dip for breadsticks or simply spread on sliced bread and crostini for a simple snack. 

Ever tried eggplant chips? Baked eggplant chips with basil and parmesan are a delicious snack, as are eggplant chips with honey and crispy eggplant fries. More plant-based snacks include eggplant tacos with kimchi cream, mini eggplant pizzas and vegan eggplant jerky. If you’re open to including some meat, consider fried eggplant rolls stuffed with ground pork, garlic and ginger.

Eggplant Dessert Recipes

Given eggplant is used as a vegetable in many dishes, it’s common to think it wouldn’t work well in desserts. Yet, it can! You can make eggplant donuts coated in cinnamon sugar, sweet eggplant fritters dusted with powdered sugar or decadent eggplant churros. Eggplant can also be baked into crisps, bread and cakes. Try chocolatey eggplant bread with cocoa and chocolate chips or eggplant cornmeal cake with whipped orange frosting to prove it.

And the recipes don’t end there. Eggplant brownies are fudgy and grain-free while chocolate-caramelized eggplant pudding is a baked delight served with a dollop of cream and cocoa powder. Melanzane al cioccolato (chocolate eggplant) is a dish from the Amalfi coast composed of fried eggplant slices layered with chocolate sauce and finally adorned with candied fruits and nuts. Eggplant ice cream is one last opportunity you’d be sore to miss out on – you can even top it with honey-cured eggplant.

Preserving Eggplant

Occasionally, too much eggplant can be a bad thing. In such cases, preservation is a necessary step to ensure this glossy garden delight doesn’t go to waste. Circumvent the stress of cooking all that eggplant by skipping to preservation, and go savor the last days of summer.

Eggplant is not recommended for canning or dying, therefore the best preservation method is freezing. You can freeze eggplant by cooking it first. Freezing eggplant raw isn’t advisable due to its high water content – cooking it first removes excess moisture. Simply chop, sautee for 10 minutes, flash freeze and store in a freezer bag for 3 to 6 months.

You can also freeze eggplant puree for future use in soups, dips, sauces and spreads. Although canning isn’t recommended for eggplant, it can be pickled in oil. Miniature eggplants can be preserved in the form of eggplant jam, while regular eggplants can be used to make eggplant jerky in addition to pickling with brine.

Freeze Drying Eggplant

Freeze Drying Eggplant

Pickled Eggplant Recipes

What do pickled eggplants taste like? Well, that depends on which recipe you use, and there is quite a variety out there when it comes to eggplant. Moroccan-style pickled eggplants are preserved with garlic, cilantro and coriander seeds. Italian-style Melanzane Sott’olio is packed in extra virgin olive oil with garlic, herbs and red pepper chilies. These pickles can be served on bruschetta, tossed with pasta or even used on pizza and sandwiches.

You can also pickle eggplant with the flavors of mint and garlic, or spicy chili peppers with carrots. A Ukrainian pickle for sour eggplants features grated carrot, chopped yellow onions, sliced bell pepper and minced garlic cloves. This colorful pickle accompanies starchy and meaty dishes particularly well. A simple fermented eggplant recipe is available too, made with cut chopped eggplant, garlic, onion and paprika.

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List of Eggplant Recipes

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