The CookingBites recipe challenge: aubergine (eggplant)

[JAS_OH1]

I think you can find fresh local at a farmer's market this time of year.

Our local farmer's market has them on sale for cheap!

 

[Morning Glory]

Those little round green crisp aubergines (often known as Thai aubergines) are almost a totally different species from soft and seductive purple aubergine. I tried cooking them too I seem to remember and wasn't sold on them. But then I cooked them until soft and they were quite good:

Recipe - Curried Thai aubergine (not an entry)

 

[JAS_OH1]

Those little round green crisp aubergines (often known as Thai aubergines) are almost a totally different species from soft and seductive purple aubergine. I tried cooking them too I seem to remember and wasn't sold on them. But then I cooked them until soft and they were quite good:

Recipe - Curried Thai aubergine (not an entry)

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They almost look like the texture of a cooked pepper. Do they taste different than the purple? I really don't like those purple eggplants. Too starchy and lacking in flavor (IMO).

 

[karadekoolaid]

Too starchy and lacking in flavor (IMO).

Curious that you say that, because aubergines are one of the LEAST starchy vegetables available. 137 calories per pound. But there's evidently something about them that disagrees with a lot of people - including 2 of my sons.

 

[JAS_OH1]

Curious that you say that, because aubergines are one of the LEAST starchy vegetables available. 137 calories per pound. But there's evidently something about them that disagrees with a lot of people - including 2 of my sons.

The ones I had were definitely not good.

 

[karadekoolaid]

The ones I had were definitely not good.

Badly prepared, then?

 

[TastyReuben]

The plan here is to go eggplant shopping on Sunday - MrsT is meeting clients tomorrow, so her usual marathon phone call with her friend has been pushed to Sunday, so that’s when I’ll be out and about, either at the gourmet shop or the international market.

 

[JAS_OH1]

Badly prepared, then?

I dunno. After multiple preparations in various ways over a few decades, I can't imagine everyone cooked so horribly. I'll have to try a different kind maybe?

 

[Morning Glory]

They almost look like the texture of a cooked pepper. Do they taste different than the purple? I really don't like those purple eggplants. Too starchy and lacking in flavor (IMO).

They did taste more like peppers I think, if I recall: a 'fresher' taste.

But aubergine (as karadekoolaid has commented) is not at all starchy. Quite the opposite, in fact.

The thing most people who don't like aubergine seem to dislike is the texture. They can become oily and slippery if incorrectly cooked.

 

[JAS_OH1]

The thing most people who don't like aubergine seem to dislike is the texture. They can become oily and slippery if incorrectly cooked.

I agree, it was a mostly textural thing.

 

[Morning Glory]

I now have at least 15 ideas for aubergine recipes ranging from Filipino, Indian and Chinese to Italian, Spanish, Greek and Middle Eastern (with a bit of Louisiana thrown in). The problem I have is deciding which to cook...

 

[TastyReuben]

Does fresh eggplant hold ok? I’m going to buy some tomorrow, but I don’t know what I want to do with them yet, and since it’s a 45-minute drive to the good market, I want to get all my eggplant in one go.

 

[JAS_OH1]

Does fresh eggplant hold ok? I’m going to buy some tomorrow, but I don’t know what I want to do with them yet, and since it’s a 45-minute drive to the good market, I want to get all my eggplant in one go.

From what I remember, yes, keeps well in the refrigerator for several days.

 

[karadekoolaid]

Does fresh eggplant hold ok?

I took one out of the fridge yesterday. It's been in there since Monday last, and it's just fine.
Well, it was. I just ate it!

 

[Herbaceous]

We’re not huge eggplant eaters here, but we do both like it, so I’m sure I can come up with something!