FAQs
If you're new to preparing eggplant for cooking, you might be wondering, “Is salting eggplant necessary?” The short answer is no. Because thanks to the advancements made in eggplant farming, most of the time, salting eggplant is not necessary. For most recipes, I simply slice up the veggie and get cooking!
Is it really necessary to salt eggplant? ›
"I have rarely found an eggplant that is so bitter that it needs salting. I just cut it up, toss the pieces with olive oil, and start cooking." she says. "The claim is reminiscent of a time when eggplants were more bitter. Today, eggplants are bred not to have that kind of bitterness," Jenkins explains.
How long do you rinse eggplant after salting? ›
Rinse the salt off.
Run the eggplant under water for a minute or two, making sure you get most of the salt off.
Can you sweat eggplant without salt? ›
Modern Eggplants Are Less Bitter — No Salt Required.
Does eggplant have to be salted and drained? ›
Many recipes call for eggplants to be salted and rinsed to draw out any bitter juices, but this shouldn't be necessary if they're fresh. If the seeds are too defined or feel hard, the eggplant may be old and should be salted.
How to remove bitterness from eggplant without salt? ›
If you don't want to lose time by salting or soaking, you can always just cut away the seeds. The seeds tend to hold in most of the bitterness, and older eggplants can have a whole lot of seeds. Cut away the inner core of seeds and it should mitigate the bitterness.
How do you remove toxins from eggplant? ›
However, eggplants also contain a substance, solanine, which is used to defend themselves against fungi and insects. It is precisely on this substance that the bitter taste of the eggplants depends. To eliminate it, the most common methods are soaking in water and vinegar and the salt technique.
What is the secret to cooking eggplant? ›
Eggplants are known to absorb a lot of fat while cooking. A useful tip to prevent sogginess and greasiness is to salt sliced or diced eggplant and let it sit for an hour. This helps to draw out moisture. Next, rinse and drain any liquid from the sliced eggplant, then pat dry before cooking.
Why do you soak eggplant in milk? ›
Yes, soaking eggplant in milk is said to help draw out the bitterness.
What is the best oil to fry eggplant in? ›
Heat 1/4 inch of grapeseed oil in a nonstick skillet over medium until hot enough for frying. The ideal temperature for frying eggplant is about 365-375 degrees F. The best way to monitor the temperature is to use a deep fry or candy thermometer; or, you can drop a small piece of bread into the oil.
Yes, you can microwave your eggplant instead of salting it. Salting eggplant before cooking is a popular trick that works well for traditional cooking methods to draw out the moisture in the eggplant, but the microwave solves that very problem.
What is the point of sweating eggplant? ›
We roasted many eggplants in testing the Pasta alla Norma recipe, and along the way we engaged in the age-old debate: to salt or not to salt? Many cooks argue that salting eggplant and letting it rest, or "sweat," for an hour or so before cooking draws out the vegetable's bitter juices.
What happens if you don't salt eggplant? ›
Older recipes call for salting eggplant to draw out the bitter juices, but today's eggplants are less bitter (unless very large), so salting is largely unnecessary. It will, however, help the spongy flesh absorb less oil and crisp up like a dream.
Do you wash eggplant after salting? ›
All the eggplant slices sweat: Place the seasoned eggplant in a colander for 30 minutes to an hour. Once little droplets of moisture start to appear, rinse your eggplant slices under cold water to remove excess salt.
Is eggplant good for you? ›
The Bottom Line. Eggplant is a high-fiber, low-calorie food that is rich in nutrients and comes with many potential health benefits. From reducing the risk of heart disease to helping with blood sugar control and weight loss, eggplants are a simple and delicious addition to any healthy diet.
Should I salt eggplant before making eggplant parmesan? ›
Modern eggplant has had bitterness nearly bred out of it, so many cooks have given up the practice. Salting the slices for eggplant Parmesan is not to prevent bitter flavors, but to season the eggplant itself and, at least in my experience, keep the eggplant from sucking up too much of the olive oil from frying.
How to draw out moisture from eggplant without salt? ›
According to the Kitchn, you can just as easily microwave eggplant to pre-cook it and remove excess water without the added sodium and extra waiting time for it to "sweat" it out.
How to prevent eggplant from absorbing oil when frying? ›
Typically eggplant behaves like a sponge, soaking up heroic amounts of oil when fried. The Terzo Piano chefs use this trick to prevent heavy aubergines: Before frying, soak the strips of eggplant in an ice water bath. They will absorb water and drop in temperature.