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Earth Eats

Eggplant Extravaganza: Listener Requested Recipes

By Annie Corrigan
Published October 29, 2019 at 2:24 PM EDT

This week on Earth Eats, it's all about the eggplant! When we did our two shows about other unusual vegetables ( brussels sprouts and sunchokes; okra and longbeans), we asked you, dear listeners, what other ingredients you found difficult to cook with and the overwhelming majority said eggplant.

So we've got two recipes for you today...a delicious eggplant dip perfect for entertaining, AND crispy eggplant french fries.

We've also got some cooking tips and tricks along the way, and as an added bonus, Chef Daniel Orr shared a few more of his favorite eggplant recipes.

Growing Eggplants

Kim Bryant of Bryant Farms sells three different varieties of eggplants: Black Beauties, Ping Tung Asian Eggplants, Fairytale Eggplants.

She says growing eggplants is tricky. They're require a lot of babysitting over their 3 month growing period, "and if you've succeeded in keeping them happy that whole time, they produce like crazy."

In the kitchen, Black Beauties are often used for making eggplant Parmesan. Bryant says the Ping Tung and Fairytale eggplants are tasty added to stir fries and cooked on the grill.

MORE: Here are some other eggplant recipes for you to experiment with in your kitchen.

Eight Fascinating Facts About Eggplant

In putting together the show for you this week, we've compiled some of the most interesting, offbeat facts about eggplant.

You may know that eggplants are a great source of folic acid and potassium, and some studies say they help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, but  here are some other fun facts you might not have known about eggplant.

Tips To Remember When Cooking With Eggplant

Eggplant can be pretty tricky to cook with. We've got three helpful tips that will ensure a better tasting AND a better looking dish.

  1. Eggplant tastes bitter – salt it, soak it, wash it off

  2. Eggplant is a sponge, soaks up lots of oil when you fry it

  3. Eggplant can be hard to roast, so consider grilling it instead

    4. "Like" Earth Eats on Facebook.

    Recipe: Eggplant Caviar

    Ingredients:

    • 6 eggplant - salt, rince, squeeze

    • 5 branches thyme

    • 3 branches rosemary

    • 1 tablespoon white pepper

    • 2 tablespoon fennel seeds

    • 4 cups white wine

    • 10 garlic cloves

    • 1 cup olive oil

    • 1 tablespoon gros sel

    • touch of curry

    • anchovies

    • lemons

    • lemon zest

    • chives

    • parsley

      • Roasting the Eggplant

      1. Rub eggplants with olive oil

      2. Roast eggplants in 350-375 degree oven for 30-40 minutes until they collapse and become very soft to touch.

        3. For the Dip

        1. Coarsely chop roasted eggplants and puree with all remaining ingredients in food processor.

        2. Finish with a bit of olive oil, fresh herbs and lemon

        3. Serve with toasted pita or pita chips

          4. Get the latest news and recipes from Earth Eats, be sure to subscribe to our weekly podcast on iTunes.

          Recipe: Eggplant Fries

          Ingredients:

          • 1 medium eggplant, sliced into 1/4 inch x 4 inch slices

          • salt

          • 1 egg

          • 1/4 cup milk or non-dairy milk

          • 1/3 cup cornmeal

          • 1/3 cup sorghum/sweet rice flour (combine the two)

          • 1/2 teaspoon salt

          • dash of smoked paprika

          • dash of Italian seasoning

          • dash of garlic powder

          • dash of black pepper

            • Directions:

            1. Peel and slice the eggplant. Then, set it in a colander in the sink. There will be little seeds inside, but you don't need to worry about them.

            2. Sprinkle the slices with salt, and toss around, and then leave for 30 minutes to sweat. "Sweating" is important when preparing eggplant. The salt helps to extract the water.

            3. After 30 minutes, rinse the eggplant sticks off with water, and then spread on a paper-towel covered plate. Pat them dry with paper towels.

            4. In one bowl, beat the egg into the milk. In another bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, and seasonings.

            5. Heat oil in a shallow pan on high heat.

            6. Dredge the eggplant slices in the egg mixture, then in the flour mixture.

            7. Carefully fry the eggplant slices for 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.

            8. Serve hot, with Green Goddess Dressing for dipping

              9. Recipe: Green Goddess Dressing

              yields: 2 ½ cups

              Ingredients:

              • 3-4 salted anchovies

              • 3 scallions- thinly sliced

              • 2 tablespoons tarragon

              • 2 tablespoons minced chives

              • ¼ cup minced parsley

              • 2 cups mayonnaise

              • ¼ cup sour cream

              • 4 tablespoons tarragon vinegar (or your favorite vinegar)

              • tabasco to taste

              • water as needed to thin

                • Directions:

                1. Combine all ingredients and season to taste.

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