Frequent question: How do you cut and cook aubergine?

How do you prepare aubergine before cooking?

Slice the aubergine lengthways into 1cm slices. Arrange the aubergines over a grill pan. Brush lightly with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then grill until golden. Flip them over, brush again with oil, season and grill again until tender and golden.

Do you peel Aubergine before cooking?

You need to peel aubergine length ways to create the ideal texture. This way there will be less of a tough skin to try and cook through, resulting in less cooking time! Once your aubergine is peeled, chop up into 1cm chunks and throw in a roasting tin. Remember to cook beforehand to avoid discolouration.

What part of an aubergine do you eat?

If the skin is in good shape, it is edible, though some varieties have skin that is too tough to eat. Peel the skin with a vegetable peeler if you think it’s wise – younger aubergine skin is fine to eat, but older, more ripened aubergine skin has a bitter taste. Cut off the stem and base, too.

Do you need to salt aubergines before cooking?

In the past, recipes called for aubergines to be sliced and salted before cooking to reduce their bitterness. As modern varieties are much less bitter, that is no longer necessary, unless you’re planning to fry them – aubergines soak up oil like a sponge and salting helps reduce that.

Why is aubergine bad for you?

Eggplants are part of the nightshade family. Nightshades contain alkaloids, including solanine, which can be toxic. Solanine protects these plants while they are still developing. Eating the leaves or tubers of these plants can lead to symptoms such as burning in the throat, nausea and vomiting, and heart arrhythmias.

Can you boil Aubergine?

You can boil eggplants whole, sliced or diced, and either peeled or unpeeled. Wash the eggplant first, and if you’re boiling it whole, poke a few holes in the skin. Wait until you’re ready to cook the eggplant to peel and cut it, as the flesh quickly discolors when cut.

Are the seeds in aubergine edible?

Eat the seeds. They are best when cooked with the rest of the vegetable, since the seeds are bitterer than the vegetable flesh and the spices added will give it a unique flavor. They can be eaten separately or with the flesh of the vegetable.

Do you take seeds out of Aubergine?

The seeds of a fresh eggplant should be soft and barely visible and if they are, there’s no need to remove them. If seeds are brown, scoop them out with a spoon.