Pickled Eggplant Recipes

PICKLED EGGPLANT RECIPE

Steps:

• With the help of a mandolin, slice the eggplant into 3/16 inch pieces lengthwise, then cut the slices into strips and then crosswise into 3-inch pieces.
• Layer the pieces of eggplant in a large colander and generously sprinkle each layer with Kosher salt. Place the colander in the sink, put a clean kitchen towel on top of the layered eggplant and top of the eggplant with a tall pot filled with water to weigh the eggplant down. This helps to squeeze out the bitterness of the eggplant.
• After two hours, take off the weight, remove the towel and rinse under cold water for 2 minutes.
• Transfer to a large kitchen towel. Put a handful of eggplant in a ricer and squeeze out as much liquid as you can until you have used all of the eggplant.
• Transfer to a large bowl and cover completely with white wine vinegar. Put a towel on top and weigh down with a pot filled with water.
• Leave them for an additional two hours.

ITALIAN PICKLED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Please note that due to the large amount of eggplant, I divided the cut eggplant strips into 2 bowls and each step outlined below is repeated with each bowl.

ITALIAN PICKLED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Peel and thinly slice the eggplant, I cut it crosswise in three, then thinly sliced them (see photos), do them one at a time, after you have done one, place the cut eggplant in a bowl and toss with 1 teaspoon of salt, continue with each eggplant. Cover the bowl and let sit for 8 hours at room temperature.
• After the 8 hours, drain the liquid (but do not rinse the eggplant) and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible.
• In a big pot bring to a boil the water and white wine vinegar, add the eggplant and boil for about 7-10 minutes or until tender. Taste one to make sure it is tender.
• Drain the eggplant and again wring out excess moisture. Place the eggplant in a large bowl and toss with the spices. Spoon into the sterilized jars , leaving at least 3/4 inch of space, then top with oil. Make sure that the eggplant is completely covered with oil, press down on the eggplant to remove any air bubbles and add more oil if necessary before closing the jar. Let sit at least 24 hours before serving. Enjoy!

EGGPLANT WITH GARLIC SAUCE

Steps:

• Whisk all the ingredients for the sauce into a bowl and set aside.
• In a large pan over medium high heat, add 1 tablespoon peanut oil and eggplant. Stir fry for a few minutes (about 5 minutes) until the sides are golden brown and the center is tender.
• Transfer eggplant to a plate and add remaining 1 tablespoon peanut oil to the pan. Add garlic, ginger, red chilis and cook for 1 minute.
• Add eggplant and scallions, toss and pour the sauce. Stir fry for 1 minute, until all the vegetables are coated.
• Turn the heat off and serve with white or brown rice.

PICKLED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Mince the garlic; set aside.
• Chop basil leaves coarsely; set aside.
• Wash eggplant. then peel.
• Cut eggplant into 2 cm (1/2 inch) cubes; set aside.
• Put vinegar in a stainless steel pot, bring to a boil.
• Put one-fourth the eggplant in the vinegar, bring back to the boil, and let boil 2 minutes, then remove with a strainer spoon and put in a bowl.
• Repeat in similar batches for the rest of the eggplant.
• To the bowl with the par-boiled eggplant, now add the garlic, basil and salt, and toss.
• Pack hot into half-litre (US pint) jars.
• Fill jars with the hot vinegar.
• Leave 2 cm (1/2 inch) headspace.
• Debubble, adjust headspace.
• Wipe jar rims.
• Put lids on.
• Process in a water bath or steam canner.
• Process 10 minutes; increase time as needed for your altitude.
• Best after at least a month of jar time.

PICKLED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Cover eggplant with salt and let it rest for 30 minutes, then rinse well. This will get ride of any bitterness.
• In a sauce pan, bring up to boil the vinegar and water. Add onions, peppers, garlic and eggplant. Simmer for 20 minutes and drain.
• Mix with aji molido, oregano, and basil.
• Put on jars with one laurel leaf on each jar and cover with olive oil.
• Store for at least a week before using.
• For long-term unrefrigerated storage, process in boiling water bath for 5 minutes immediately after sealing jars.

PICKLED EGGPLANT IN OLIVE OIL (MELANZANE SOTT'OLIO)

Steps:

• 1. Peel the eggplants, cut off the ends, and slice lengthwise into 1/4 inch slices. Cut these slices across, lengthwise again, to obtain long strips the size of skinny fries. Cut them in half if they're too long.
• 2. Place the slices in a colander with a bowl underneath the catch the liquid. Sprinkle with the salt and mix with your hands, giving your eggplant slices a little massage so they are evenly covered in salt. Allow them to sit for 3 to 4 hours, mixing and squeezing the liquid out with your hands every hour or so. You can also place a weight on top to help get the liquid out (a plate topped with a big bag of flour works well).
• 3. After 3 to 4 hours, rinse the slices well with tap water and drain. Squeeze as much liquid out of the eggplant slices as you can, using your hands. Place the squeezed eggplant aside.
• 4. Bring the vinegar and water to a boil. Place the eggplant slices in the boiling mixture and boil for about 2 1/2 minutes. Do not leave in the boiling water longer than 3 minutes or the eggplant will be mushy. It should still have some bite to it. After about 2 1/2 minutes, remove the eggplant from the liquid and drain. Once they are cool enough to handle, squeeze out any excess liquid with your hands again (you can also leave the slices to dry for a few minutes on a clean towel, wrapping them in the towel to press some of the liquid out). They don't have to be fully dry but they shouldn't be dripping wet.
• 5. Stuff the eggplant into clean jars, alternating in layers with the chopped parsley and basil, chopped red pepper, and minced garlic. Press down so that everything is well packed. Pour olive oil into the jar until all the ingredients are covered. Press down with a spoon to remove any air bubbles in the jar. Add extra olive if needed, leaving about 3/4 inch of space at the top. Wipe the rims and close the jars. Keep in the fridge for up to 1 week, or freeze.
• 6. Serve on fresh toasted bread or add to any sandwiches. Pickled eggplant is great in pasta salads.