All About Eggplant!

Hello Everyone!

What comes to mind when you think of eggplant? Most people I chat with do not know much about them and have only prepared and/or consumed them in eggplant parmesan. It is actually a versatile piece of produce that can be prepared and eaten in a multitude of ways! Follow me into this journey of learning more about eggplant!

Although there are many varieties of eggplant, you probably most often see the oblong shaped purple eggplant (globe eggplant) in your grocery store. Did you know that eggplant is technically considered a fruit? Eggplant is part of the berry family and is closely related to tomatoes and potatoes.

Eggplant is beneficial to your diet because it is low in calories and has a decent amount of fiber. One cup of raw eggplant is only 20 calories! That one cup also contains 3 grams of fiber, 1 gram of protein, folate, potassium, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and manganese among other nutrients. Eggplant is high in antioxidants, which help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. Eggplant’s fiber content may also help regulate the body’s blood sugar level.

The wonderful thing about preparing eggplant is that it readily absorbs the flavors you incorporate into it while cooking. How it absorbs flavors reminds me of how tofu absorbs flavors. Most spice profiles go well with eggplant. The flavor of eggplant is also intensified by certain cooking styles, such as roasting, grilling, and braising. Roasted eggplant is one of my favorite ways of preparing and eating eggplant. I cut the eggplant into bite size cubes and coat with oil, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Feel free to season the eggplant with your favorite spice combination! Place the eggplant in a single layer on a roasting sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast for 425 degrees F for 20-30 minutes or until the eggplant is tender. The eggplant will shrink due to loss of water during the roasting process. The final product is perfect to eat alone, in a salad, or as a side dish! Next time I get an eggplant, I am going to try grilling it! Have you ever had eggplant before and if so, what is your favorite way of eating it?

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