Ways to Eat Eggplant

• Add diced eggplant to soups and casseroles. It is known for how well it soaks up the flavor of the broth and sauces.
• Grill or roast eggplant with sea salt and olive oil for a delicious, healthy side dish
• Eggplant is also delicious cold. Cut into strips to dip into your favorite hummus or dice and add to salads to add texture and color
• Dip eggplant in egg and bread crumbs and saute for a snack

Selecting & Storing Eggplant

• Choose an eggplant with a smooth, shiny peel. It should feel heavy for its size with no blemishes
• Do not choose eggplant with wrinkled or loose peel. This indicates that the fruit is old and will have a bitter flavor
• Press finger lightly on the eggplant. There should be a slight indent. If the fruit is purchased when it is sofe it will be bitter
• Eggplant should be used within a day or two of purchase. They do not keep for very long

Eggplant and Nutrition

• Eggplant is rich in fiber, copper and B vitamins
• They contain the phytonutrient nasunin which has been shown to protect the cell membrance in the brain for damage
• In addition, they contain chlorogenic acid which benefits include anit-cancer properties, and anitviral activity for your immune system

Did you know?

• Botanically, eggplant is actually a berry, but since it does not have a sweet flavor, it is thought of and used as a vegetable
• Eggplant size varies from the size of a walnut to the large zucchini shaped "black beauty" variety
• Eggplant color varies as well from white to dark purple, some are even striped
• Though sold year round, eggplants are best from August to October as this is their season
• In ancient Chinese culture, it was tradtion that brides have at least twelve eggplant recipes before they coudl be wed

 

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