For those who can’t enjoy nightshade plants due to allergy, you might be wondering what does eggplant taste like? Eggplant is a superfood because it contains vitamins and minerals that supercharge the body.
Eggplant or aubergine is a nightshade fruit commonly perceived as a vegetable. It comes in different varieties and some of these are easy to grow in warm climates. You must have tasted it before. If you live in a country where it’s abundant, it might be a staple food or you’re using it as an ingredient for most of your dishes.
Eggplant actually contains solanine that can be toxic to humans. But the amounts are very low to start poisoning and allergies caused by eggplant are rare. Instead of looking at the disadvantages, why don’t we just focus on the advantages of eating eggplant? Here’s a closer look at what eggplant taste like and what it does to the body.
What does eggplant taste like?
Eggplants are often perceived as bitter but the taste is different when it’s raw and when it’s cooked. It’s true that the flavor of uncooked eggplant can be bitter. However, the bitterness normally goes away on its own when you cook the eggplants. Like magic, eggplant can go from bitter to instantly sweet once heated.
If you want to enjoy eggplants, be creative in cooking them. The easiest thing you can do with eggplant is to fry them, but if you’re health-conscious avoid frying them especially in a large quantity of oil. Your eggplant may contain high amounts of fat if you deep-fry them. It’s because eggplant absorbs oil, making them a little less healthy.
Does eggplant taste like zucchini? Yes, it’s the closest thing you can compare with the flavor of eggplant. Like them, zucchinis are slightly bitter but boasts a mild flavor once they are cooked. Both of them are almost similar in nutritional profile, despite the fact that zucchinis contain more water and proteins.
Is eggplant healthy?
YES, in fact, eggplants are a superfood which is the term given to foods with high amounts of nutrients and is good for a human’s health. This label is often given to plant-based foods because they are real and unprocessed foods.
For every cup of raw eggplant, you can only get 20.5 calories and around 4 grams of carbohydrates. This low-fat veggie comes with less than a gram of fat but high amounts of fiber at 2.4 grams per cup.
Still, your preparation dictates whether eggplant remains healthy or not. Did you know that if you deep-fry them, you will get as much fat content as regular French fries? Eggplants easily absorb whatever liquid you put in them. Instead of deep-frying eggplants, it will be better to add them to soups, steamed dishes, and baked dishes.
How do you cook eggplant to make them more nutritious? Toss them in your next stir-fry dish. Add some dry sherry and crumbled tofu to give a more exciting texture to your dish. For those who want to make common snacks more nutritious, add them to tacos, pasta, and sandwiches.
Eat more eggplant if you want to eat something low in sodium but free from cholesterol. Aside from helping you manage your cholesterol levels, eggplant can also support immunity, strengthen your bones, and improve the quality of your skin.
How do you cook eggplant?
Eggplant is spongy so it absorbs flavors from other food. There’s more to it than the flavor alone. You can enjoy eggplants with their texture so they make any recipe more interesting. Depending on its texture, eggplant can be hard or soft.
One creative way to cook eggplant is to make your hummus out of it. This is called Baba Ganoush, a popular appetizer from Lebanon. It’s made by combining eggplant with olive oil and tahini. Or perhaps turn them into instant vegan chips. Cut them in very thin slices then spray a bit of oil before baking to have your crispy eggplant chips.
Many vegans use eggplant as an alternative to meat. There’s no problem in using it in place of meat since it does not have a very strong flavor. You can use it as an ingredient to baked pasta along with zucchini.
And since it’s possible to juice almost anything, you can turn eggplant into juice. It’s a nice way to get your dose of vitamins and minerals without having to eat the vegetable. Simply toss the sliced eggplant in a blender and mix it with water and lemon juice.
Just a tip, only eat eggplant in moderation. It’s not recommended to consume it every day because it’s important to eat other vegetables for a well-balanced diet. Eating too much eggplant can be hard on your liver because it’s difficult to digest. In rare cases, it can cause allergy and chronic inflammation.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, eggplants are slightly bitter when you eat them raw but they can turn sweet once cooked. This nightshade fruit is available in different types so it’s possible to find them in various shapes and sizes. You can use them in a wide array of dishes, so they are not just for vegetarians. They go well even in meat, in fact, they are even used as a meat alternative.
If you enjoy the spongy feel of eggplant and its adaptable flavor, consider using it in your next dish. This way, you will not have to wonder about the taste, or if it’s like zucchini. Eggplant is a unique food item because not all foods can adopt the flavor of other foods. Is eggplant healthy? Definitely! It boosts your immunity because it contains many vitamins and minerals such as calcium, Vitamin A, and iron. The outer part, which is the purple skin, contains antioxidants called anthocyanins. This antioxidant is known to prevent inflammation, cancer, and many diseases.
Check my pork egg roll recipe and how to reheat egg roll.
