How To Freeze Japanese Eggplant And Cook It
Today I’ll be sharing some tips for using Japanese Eggplant. I’ll be sharing how to harvest, freeze and cook Japanese eggplants as well as sharing some tasty eggplant recipes here at The Instant Pot Table. Eggplant is a nutritious low-carb food option and one you can use in so many ways. I’m sure you’ll find this article useful and full of information about the Japanese Eggplant.
Contents
What Is Japanese Egg Plant
A Japanese Eggplant is a name for a long, thin, oval-shaped vegetable that is used in many different types of Asian cooking.
Japanese Eggplant Nutrition
Eggplants are low in calories and fat, but provide plenty of dietary fiber, protein, vitamin C, and potassium. They also contain several phytonutrients that can aid in disease prevention.
Harvesting Japanese Eggplant
Japanese eggplant can be harvested in several different ways. While some people prefer to pick them when they’re still small, others choose to wait until they are larger and then scoop out the flesh from the inside.
When To Pick Japanese Egg Plant
The best time to harvest Japanese eggplants is when the eggplant has grown to a length of 7 to 10 inches. These are typically ripe eggplants and will turn from green to yellow and eventually purple.
Freezing Japanese Eggplant
If you have plenty of eggplants then you’ll want to harvest them and store them for future use. The best way to do this is to store it in the fridge, however, if you have an abundance of eggplant you’ll need to freeze your eggplant to allow it to last longer.
Freezing Eggplants For Future Use
The first thing you’ll want to do is wash your eggplant well, then peel it and cut it into 1 or 2-inch cubes. I like to cut my eggplant down and then freeze it in individual bags and then I can remove as many cubes as I need for a recipe.
- Chop your eggplant thinly into small cubes
- Add them to your airtight freezer lock bags
- Label the date and product and store in the fridge.
How Long Can I Keep Eggplant In The Freezer?You can typically keep Japanese eggplant in the freezer for up to one year. However, eggplant can last much longer than a year and still be safe to eat.
Will Freezing Damage Eggplant?
Freezing will not damage your eggplant as long as you store it at 0 degrees and keep it in an airtight container or zipock bag. If the eggplant cubes or slices are not airtight then they can get freezer burn and become ruined.
Can You Refreeze Japanese Eggplant?
You can refreeze eggplant after it has been defrosted but it’s best not to. It’s better to freeze in small cubes or slices so you can take what you need as you need.
How Do I defrost Egg Plant?
To defrost your eggplant, most people will simply put the frozen cubes or slices in a bowl and allow them to defrost in the fridge overnight with a plate underneath to catch any liquid. You can also use warm water to thaw out the cubes but it takes much longer.
Do You Need To Salt Japanese Eggplant?
Some people say that you should salt Japanese eggplant after slicing it. This helps remove the excess liquid from the eggplant so it won’t throw off the rest of your recipe. It is said to be a must when cooking certain dishes, but not all recipes require this extra step.
How To Cook Japanese Egg Plant
Now that you’ve got your eggplant cut up (fresh or defrosted) you’re ready to start cooking with them. One of the best things to do is make some Filipino-style eggplant or an Indian eggplant dish. However, you can eat grilled eggplant, add it to stir fry or use in an air fryer or deep fryer to make crispy eggplant chips.
Cooking Japanese Egg Plant
If you’re planning on cooking your Japanese eggplant in a skillet, oven, or grill then it’s best to brush the cubes or slices with some canola oil, sesame oil, or olive oil. Cook them until they have a nice char on them.
Roasting Egg Plant
You can also roast your eggplant to create a light side dish that is delicious and sweet. Add flavor and spices to the pan to create an amazing taste or combine with other vegetables to make a roast vegetable medley. Roasted Japanese eggplant is a popular dish and can taste delicious when cooked with the right flavors.
Japanese Eggplant Recipes
Some popular Japanese Eggplant recipes include:
- Nasu Dengaku
- Nasu Agebitashi
- Stir Fry eggplant
- Grilled eggplant
- Eggplant Chips
- Deep-Fried Eggplant
Nasu Dengaku
This is one of my favorite dishes to make with Japanese eggplant. It is sweet, savory, and very delicious. The eggplant is covered in a glaze made of mirin, sugar, and soy sauce.
Nasu Agebitashi
This Japanese eggplant recipe is a great way to utilize your leftovers or not have to cook them the next day. Nasu Agebitashi is an eggplant cooked in a dashi marinade or miso glaze. it can be served with rice or vegetables and has so much flavor.
Stir Fry Eggplant
Stir fry is one of the most delicious ways to cook Japanese eggplant. It works well with other vegetables and can be paired up with other foods like tofu, sesame seeds, onions, broccoli, carrots, or anything else you like.
Grilled Eggplant
Grilled Eggplant is a great way to add some flavor and spice to your eggplant. It has been marinated in a sweet soy marinade and brings tons of flavor when it’s grilled.
Eggplant Chips
Make Eggplant Chips with your Japanese eggplants by slicing them thin like fries, dusting them with corn starch, and baking them in the oven at 450 degrees for about 20 minutes or until crispy.Once they are cooked, salt them to taste or put on some balsamic vinegar, garlic, ginger, or sriracha sauce.
Deep Frying Eggplant
If you want to deep fry eggplant then you certainly can, be sure to use a paper towel to remove excess oil and enjoy the great flavor of fried eggplant with salt. You can also dip deep-fried eggplant into a creamy horseradish dressing or another of your favorite sauce dips.
More Japanese Eggplant Recipes You May Enjoy:
If you need some inspiration then why not try the following:
- Japanese Miso Eggplant Recipe
- Baked Japanese Eggplant
- Ichiban Japanese Eggplant
- Japanese Eggplant Casserole
- Japanese Eggplant Pizza
Japanese Eggplant is a versatile vegetable
It’s a vegetable that can be used in many ways and having a stash of eggplant cubes in the freezer is always handy. It can bulk up any meal, is great for vegetarian dishes and there is very little prep time needed. I’m sure you found this article useful. To learn more about different fruits and vegetables check out our section on foods and how to freeze them!
