01 of 04 Blanching Eggplant Erin Huffstetler If you like to use eggplant to make eggplant Parmesan, or you enjoy eating it baked or fried, blanching and freezing it in rounds is a good option. Here's how it's done: Fill a large stockpot with a gallon of water. Add 1/2 cup of lemon juice (bottled is fine). Then set it on high heat. STEP 1: Use a peeler or paring knife to remove the peel. Discard the peel. STEP 2: Cut the eggplant crosswise into slices or dice into 1-inch cubes. 11 Types of Eggplants to Know (and Grow) STEP 3: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt (2 tablespoons per quart of water).
How to Freeze Eggplant I'm Thankful for a Bountiful Harvest
Start by poking the eggplant with a fork, then roast in a 400°F oven for 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the eggplant, until it starts to collapse. Once cool, halve the eggplant, scoop out the flesh, and freeze in freezer bags or containers. Transfer to a microwave-safe bowl lined with paper towels and microwave for 5 minutes. Lay the slices on a parchment-lined sheet pan, not touching, and let cool to room temperature, then freeze uncovered until solidly frozen. Transfer to a freezer bag to use as needed. Try it in an Eggplant Curry . Steps to Freezing Eggplant Ball Horticultural Company Pick the Best Produce The secret to freezing eggplant successfully is starting with the freshest fruits you can find. For homegrown crops, pick eggplants before seeds mature (as seeds mature, the fruit turns bitter). You can also watch for fresh eggplant at your local farmers' market. You sure can! The tasty and versatile nightshade is typically in season from July through October, but if you have the foresight to freeze at least some of your eggplant haul, you can enjoy it any time you want. When buying eggplant, look for one that is firm and heavy.
How to freeze and thaw frozen eggplant eggplant eggplants kitchenous
1 Select a fresh eggplant. The fresher an eggplant is, the better it will hold up after being frozen. Any eggplant you freeze should be ripe and the seeds should not yet be fully mature. Look for eggplants that have a uniformly dark hue. Do not use eggplants that have soft spots or mismatched patches of color. Line your slices up on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake them in a 350°F oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, just until the slices are tender. Allow the eggplant slices to cool completely. Option 1: Raw Step 1: Clean Wash the fresh eggplant to remove any dirt and dry it with a clean dishtowel. Cut off the top stalk and bottom end of the eggplant. Peel the eggplant if preferred, however, this is optional depending on how you wish to use it after freezing. Step 2: Slice Cut the eggplant into slices approximately 1/3 inch thick. Wash and dry the eggplant, then peel off the skin. 3. Boil a pot of water on the stove. Add lemon juice into the water, using a half cup of lemon juice for every gallon of water. The lemon in the water will prevent the eggplant from browning. 4. Slice the eggplant into quarter-inch slices.
This Is the Best Way to Freeze Eggplant Kitchn
Roast the cubed eggplant for about 45 minutes at 375 degrees. Once they're done, take the sheet pan out of the oven and let the cooked cubes cool down entirely. Then add it to your freezer-safe bag and store it in the freezer. How to freeze a whole eggplant This can get a bit tricky. Is it possible to freeze an eggplant whole? Possibly, yes. There are several methods for how to freeze eggplant. However, for most of them, blanching is recommended. Here's why - and how. As you slice your eggplant, you will need to drop it into a pot of hot, boiling water to blanch. Don't wait to have all of your eggplant sliced before you blanch - this can cause it to discolor.
Wash the eggplant and slice it into discs that are approximately 1 inch thick. Place the discs on a lined baking sheet (or use a substitute for parchment paper) and bake for 15 minutes at 350 °F. Allow your eggplant to cool completely before placing it in a reusable airtight container. Recipes Eggplants can be an intimidating food to cook if you've ever attempted a dish and ended up with a squeaky, rubbery piece—kind of like how biting into an underripe persimmon can leave your mouth painfully puckery and with future persimmon hesitation. (They are worth trying again!)
Eggplant 101How to Freeze Eggplant YouTube
To freeze eggplant, first, wash and cut it into slices or cubes. Blanch the pieces in boiling water for two minutes, then cool quickly in an ice bath. Pat dry and freeze on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to airtight freezer bags for storage, lasting up to 8 months. Jump to Recipe. Flash freeze: Cool the eggplant to room temperature. Once cooled, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the eggplant in a single layer on top. Freeze for 1 hour. Place in an airtight container or freezer-safe plastic bag. If using a bag, use a straw to suck any remaining air out of the bag and seal it.
