Yahoo Lifestyle I Asked a Farmer How to Pick the Best Eggplant—Here’s What to Look For
A good eggplant makes all the difference.
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Eggplant is a vegetable that took me a while to like. Eggplant tastes bitter if eaten raw, but when cooked, this vegetable takes on a mild, sweet flavor. There are many different kinds of eggplants and many different ways to cook this versatile vegetable.
To make a great eggplant recipe, you first need good eggplants. If you’ve taken on a green thumb and have some eggplants to harvest or if you spot some at the farmers’ market, what should you look for?
I asked Jennifer Dunbar, a farmer and owner of Lovelight Farm, located in Wilsonville, Alabama, about how to pick the best eggplant and how to use them when they’re in season. Jennifer runs a biodynamic and organic farm that focuses on soil health and sustainability of the land. The eggplants she was selling were beautiful, so I wanted to ask her how to pick the best ones.
How to Pick the Best Eggplant
“They're not that complicated,” says Jennifer. “They're really easy to grow. They don't need a ton of water. They're pest-resistant, and they do really well in the Deep South, where we've got a lot of heat and a lot of sun.”
You should look for eggplants with glossy, smooth skin. Avoid eggplant with any deep bruises or browning. Eggplants should feel heavy for their size and their leaves should be green—not dried out.
They will come in many shapes and sizes, but the skin should be firmer and taut. If an eggplant is wrinkly, it is likely too old.
How to Enjoy Eggplant, Farmer Style
There are a lot of ways to enjoy eggplant. Eggplant is used in cuisines all over the world. You can find uses for eggplants in many Asian cuisines as well as several European and Middle Eastern cuisines.
I try to add basil into any eggplant recipe I am making. Garlic and tomatoes are two ingredients that will always pair well. Jennifer recommends roasting eggplants with a medley of vegetables, or making a ratatouille. Eggplant parmesan is also a classic and comforting choice, or fire up your grill, toss your eggplants in your favorite seasonings, and give them a good char.
Related: How to Cook Eggplant
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