Botanically, eggplant is a fruit and classified as a berry.

Culinarily, they are classified as a vegetable since they’re used in recipes as a savory addition rather than a sweet one.

Background

  • Eggplant is part of the Solanaceae botanical family that includes multiple foods like tomato, potato, tomatillo, bell pepper, and ground cherry.
  • Eggplant is also known as aubergine in the UK and brinjal in India.

Nutrition

Eggplant is a good source of fiber and manganese.

  • Fiber makes you feel fuller faster which helps to control weight while also supporting digestion and prevention of constipation.
  • Manganese is beneficial in wound healing and cartilage and bone formation. It also supports the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein, and cholesterol.

How to purchase, prepare and store

  • Purchase eggplants year-round at grocery stores or at your local farmer’s market during the summer.
  • Choose eggplants with smooth, shiny skin and a firm, green stem. Avoid those with soft spots, bruises, or wrinkled skin.
  • Small and medium-sized eggplants will have a better flavor. As eggplants get larger, they tend to taste bitter.
  • Prepare the eggplant by slicing off the stem and bottom portion. Remove the skin using a vegetable peeler or paring knife.
  • Cut the eggplant into round slices, cubes, or strips. Then, place the prepared eggplant on a baking sheet lined with paper towel.
  • Salt eggplant on both sides; let sit until the pieces begin to sweat, around 30 minutes. This draws out bitterness.
  • Rinse off the salt and pat dry with a paper towel.
  • Store fresh, whole eggplants at room temperature for two to five days as eggplants are sensitive to the cold.
  • Keep away from fruits and vegetables that emit ethylene such as apples or bananas as these make the eggplant ripen faster.
  • Store in the refrigerator if your space is hot and humid. Keep in a crisper drawer for up to seven days.

Nutrition Facts

Eggplant, 1 cup, cooked, boiled, drained

  • Calories: 34.6
  • Protein: 0.822 g
  • Fat: 0.228 g
  • Carbohydrate: 8.64 g
  • Fiber: 2.48 g
  • Calcium: 5.94 mg
  • Iron: .247 mg
  • Magnesium: 10.9 mg
  • Phosphorus: 14.8 mg
  • Folate: 13.9 µg
  • Vitamin A: 36.6 µg

Via fdc.nal.usda.gov

Recipes

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