Szechuan Eggplant Recipe, Sichuan Eggplant Step by Step - Edible Garden (2024)

FAQs

Do you eat the skin of Chinese eggplant? ›

Yes, the skin of Chinese eggplant is tender and entirely edible. Unlike the thicker skin of some Western eggplants, Chinese eggplant's skin cooks down to a soft texture, so there's no need to peel it. It also adds color and additional nutrients to the dish.

China is the world's top producer and consumer of eggplant, so it's apt that the Chinese eggplant variety is so distinct. It has a lighter, almost pastel exterior, with a white flesh and sweeter taste that fits its appearance. The Chinese variety contains fewer seeds than globe eggplants, and are therefore less bitter.

While the skin of a small young eggplant is edible, the skin becomes bitter on larger or older eggplants and should be peeled. When in doubt, the answer to, "Do you peel eggplant before cooking?" is yes, peel it. Use a vegetable peeler or paring knife to remove the skin.

Aside from its green top, the entire eggplant is edible: its purple skin, its white flesh, and the tiny seeds inside. Eggplant contains protein, fiber, and a wide range of vitamins and minerals as well as some antioxidants. Eggplant should be cooked before eating.

Eggplants from China tend to be elongated and deeply purple with glossy skin. They are excellent in stir fry and soup. They are quite easy to grow as long as they receive plenty of sun and heat.

Eggplants do not store well for long periods of time. Without refrigeration, eggplants can be stored in a cool, dry place for 1 or 2 days. If you don't intend to eat the eggplant within 2 days, it should be refrigerated.

Can You Eat Eggplant Raw? Luckily, the answer is yes! While the leaves and flowers can be toxic, the eggplant itself is safe to consume both raw and cooked, and the compound that some might be sensitive to, solanine, is only toxic when consumed in large quantities.

One of the most popular was the long, thin, purple eggplant from Taiwan known as Ping Tung. This is an exceptional eggplant with sweet, pleasant tasting flesh. The plants are incredibly prolific and produce throughout the entire season.

In fact, the purple fruit was once nicknamed "mad apple" by Europeans as eggplants were thought to be poisonous, per Permaculture News. That's because eggplants are part of the Nightshade family, which the toxic nightshade berries belong to (via Harvesting History).

Why Do Eggplants Turn Brown? Eggplants can have brown spots for two reasons: It's either the result of a process called enzymatic browning, or it's going bad. Enzymatic browning will only alter your eggplant's appearance, while a rotting eggplant will show additional indicators of spoilage.

What is the sweetest eggplant? ›

Chinese eggplant

Specialty Produce further says that because this variety also possesses thinner skin, Chinese eggplants have a mild and sweet flavor. This can make the vegetable more appealing than varieties with a tougher exterior that will sometimes take on a bitter taste with age.

When the weather gets hot, eggplants can prematurely turn yellow due to sun overexposure. Try using a shade cloth to protect those tender eggplants from sunburn, but don't forget to watch them carefully so you don't miss out! As you've discovered, some summer vegetables can overwinter in milder climates.

Preparing the Japanese Eggplant:

Next, remove the stem and slice off a thin portion of the top and bottom. If desired, you can also peel the skin, although it is perfectly edible and adds to the texture and flavor.

Findings of animal studies suggest that nasunin, an anthocyanin in eggplant skin, may help protect brain cell membranes from damage caused by free radicals. Nasunin also helps transport nutrients into cells and move waste out. Anthocyanins also help prevent neuroinflammation and facilitate blood flow to the brain.

If it's an extra-large eggplant, the vegetable could be older and the skin tougher, therefore, it's a smart idea to peel it. But small, young eggplant have thin, tender skins that add great texture to the vegetable when cooked.

There are times when keeping the skin of the eggplant on can create a tough texture or bitter taste, which is why some people peel it off for ease. The skin, however, is completely safe and edible, and contains important nutrients, says Taste of Home.