Anonymous wrote:Don't force yourself to love eggplant. It has shockingly little nutritional value despite botanically being a fruit (a berry, to be exact). Especially compared to vegetables (er, botanical fruits) it's often paired with, like zucchini, squash, and tomatoes. At best, eggplant is like tofu -- filler to make a dish seem heartier / more substantial, and as a carrier for other flavors, but not something to pursue as a standalone food.

I always thought the same, but recently learned that the something in the pigment can be beneficial and it also has SRGs.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/eggplant-benefits

One thing I don't agree with in the article is the low calorie part. Sure eggplant itself is low calorie, but cook it with any oil and it'll sponge it right up. That's why it's so delicious, of course.

Don't force yourself to love eggplant. It has shockingly little nutritional value despite botanically being a fruit (a berry, to be exact). Especially compared to vegetables (er, botanical fruits) it's often paired with, like zucchini, squash, and tomatoes. At best, eggplant is like tofu -- filler to make a dish seem heartier / more substantial, and as a carrier for other flavors, but not something to pursue as a standalone food.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I ate this dish at an Ottolenghi restaurant in London, and it was one of the best things I’ve ever put in my mouth.

https://ottolenghi.co.uk/recipes/aubergine-with-black-garlic" target="_new" rel="nofollow"> https://ottolenghi.co.uk/recipes/aubergine-with-black-garlic

Honestly, all of his recipes with eggplant are pure magic.

I have not seen black garlic at the store. Can I make with additional regular garlic in its place?

MOMs has black garlic.

Anonymous wrote:I ate this dish at an Ottolenghi restaurant in London, and it was one of the best things I’ve ever put in my mouth.

https://ottolenghi.co.uk/recipes/aubergine-with-black-garlic" target="_new" rel="nofollow"> https://ottolenghi.co.uk/recipes/aubergine-with-black-garlic

Honestly, all of his recipes with eggplant are pure magic.

I have not seen black garlic at the store. Can I make with additional regular garlic in its place?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there really is no reason for eggplant and yet it exists kind of sums up 2020

Well, some of us like it. So just don’t eat it and move on. I hate kale, but I don’t bemoan its existence.

I don't like kale or eggplant. Ha!

I don't like the texture so don't eat it.

OP here, very interesting. I was doing some googling, sometimes I get interested in the history of foodstuffs, and learned about small eggplants. Blandness is not an issue for me--I love things like steamed zucchini (also raw zucchini) and prefer my avocado as is, just plain avocado. Also I have never tried eggplant where it becomes some kind of puree.
I've occasionally dabbled in Indian cooking although still find it intimidating.
It's interesting, though, how much of fruits and vegetables westerners regard as ordinary were not native to Europe (not counting the South American gifts) but came from various Asian regions.

Fried eggplant!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there really is no reason for eggplant and yet it exists kind of sums up 2020

Huh. We are so different. I would say thousands upon thousands of needless deaths everywhere sums up 2020.

that's because you like eggplant.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there really is no reason for eggplant and yet it exists kind of sums up 2020

sorry
Well, some of us like it. So just don’t eat it and move on. I hate kale, but I don’t bemoan its existence.

sorry my bad (still don't like eggplant)

Anonymous wrote:there really is no reason for eggplant and yet it exists kind of sums up 2020

Huh. We are so different. I would say thousands upon thousands of needless deaths everywhere sums up 2020.

Anonymous wrote:there really is no reason for eggplant and yet it exists kind of sums up 2020

Well, some of us like it. So just don’t eat it and move on. I hate kale, but I don’t bemoan its existence.

Omg love eggplant parm, especially in a sub!

I’m Indian, but I far prefer the Italian versions. Of the Indian ones, I like the one in a spicy sesame or peanut sauce someone mentioned above. In general, I dislike smoky as a taste. Baba ganooush is not my cup of tea.

Eggplant is my favorite vegetable! So much texture, so much variety, absorbs flavors so well. Hmm.

there really is no reason for eggplant and yet it exists kind of sums up 2020