How do you remove solanine 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.
How do you make eggplant less bitter?
If you are worried that the eggplant might be bitter, slice or cube it, then salt it liberally and allow it to drain for an hour or so before cooking. Putting salt on the eggplant triggers osmosis, which draws out excess moisture and the bitterness along with it.
How do you get the liquid out of eggplant?
Place cubed eggplant in a colander, toss lightly with salt and set aside to drain for about 30 minutes. Then, rinse the eggplant under cold water to remove the salt, wrap it in a cloth towel and squeeze gently but firmly to release the liquid.
What does bad eggplant look like?
If an eggplant’s skin is getting withered and wrinkly, or if the fruit (yeah, eggplant is technically a fruit) is notably soft or squishy, or it just has soft spots anywhere, it’s rotting. If the stem is browning or developing mold – or if there’s mold anywhere else on it – it’s also time to discard the eggplant.
Is it necessary to sweat eggplant?
Second, why should you sweat your eggplant before cooking? Sweating the eggplant by salting it tenderizes the texture of the eggplant flesh and reduces the bitter taste often found in eggplant. Also, with the moisture being drawn out, the eggplant will absorb less oil used in cooking.
How long do you Salt eggplant before cooking?
In The New Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone, Deborah Madison recommends salting slices or cubes for 30 minutes to remove bitterness, 60 or more to achieve better fried eggplant.
How long should you let eggplant sweat?
Sprinkle liberally with kosher salt making sure that all slices of the eggplant are salted on both sides.
- Let sit for 30 minutes. You will start to see the eggplant “sweat” with beads of water coming out and being drained.
- Rinse well with water.