General information and discussion about cultivating eggplants/aubergines.
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June 2, 2008 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 542
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I'm on cloud nine!!
Well, maybe I should say I'm growing it....photo below and the only developing fruit so far. I was never sure about tasting eggplant until my wife and I ate at a local italian restaurant (run by people from Italy) a couple of years ago and had eggplant lasagna....it was heaven.
Jay |
June 2, 2008 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Rock Hill, SC
Posts: 5,346
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I think the secret to preparing eggplant is to slice it, salt it, and set the slices in a colander over a bowl. Then after 30 minutes, dry the slices with a paper towel. Getting as much liquid out of the eggplant as possible seems to improve things a lot.
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June 2, 2008 | #3 |
Tomatoville® Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7
Posts: 10,385
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We don't do any salting or draining at all - just peel, and prepare - we've found that as long as it is fresh picked we don't find any bitterness or wateriness at all...our top uses are marinate/grill, bread/bake to eat as is or in Parmesan dishes, or ratatouille.
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Craig |
June 2, 2008 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Virginia Beach
Posts: 2,648
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I grew Cloud Nine several years ago and liked it very much. I grow one now called White Beauty which is also very good.
I don't salt them either. I just make sure to pick them before they get too seedy. Enjoy yours!
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Michele |
June 2, 2008 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Crystal Beach, Texas
Posts: 89
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I never salt and drain. As l0ong as they are picked before they become too large they are great. Eggplant Parmigian and Eggplant Rice Dressing.....Can't wait until mine are ready!!!!
Becky |
June 2, 2008 | #6 |
Tomatoville® Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7
Posts: 10,385
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I am growing out an F2 from Cloud 9 this year (also an F2 from Zebra, Ichiban, Green Goddess, and some F3s from Orient Charm)...pretty interesting to see what sorts of things you find when dehybridizing eggplant!
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Craig |
June 2, 2008 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Rock Hill, SC
Posts: 5,346
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Very good information. It's amazing how we have to rework recipes to suit the much better ingredients we get from the backyard.
I made some more spaghetti sauce today with a Brandywine and a Gregori's Altai and it only takes 30 minutes to develop a full, incredible flavor because I cook the tomato juice and the tomatoes separately. I guess I should post a separate thread in the Recipes forum.
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June 2, 2008 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Campbell, CA
Posts: 4,064
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Morgan,
I for one, would really like to try your sauce. Please post your recepie when you get time. thanks, Ray |
June 2, 2008 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Rock Hill, SC
Posts: 5,346
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Posted in Recipes forum. Will take pics next time I make it and post them here.
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June 5, 2008 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: NE Kingdom, VT - Zone 3b
Posts: 1,439
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If you want to avoid seedy eggplant, first, only use glossy fruit. When it is a brownish purple, it is overripe and seedy.
Second, look at the blossom end. The blossom end will either be a slit ( - ), which is a female or round ( o ), which is male. Obviously, males will be less seedy. The salting and pressing and soaking is usually done because most people have no idea of when a purple eggplant is at its peak. Nowadays though, you can rest assured of never eating a bitter eggplant if you grow only the white or sicilian (lavender stripes on white, like Rosa Bianca) varieties. Even with the purple, and a little overmature, skinning them ( like you would an oily fish), goes a long way, and is just as effective as salting and draining. |
June 7, 2008 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Walker, Louisiana US
Posts: 14
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I'm growing Rosa Bianca (white with lavender stripes),
Proposa (purple with a little white around a purple calyx), Nada (purple) and Black Bell II. Proposa & Rosa Bianca are the a couple of the mildest & sweetest EP I ever grew. Salting and drying helps when you fry them (keeps the cornmeal on!) otherwise I do not salt & dry them. ButchT |
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