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Photo:Preethi Venkatram
Preethi Venkatram
No matter how you slice it (pun totally intended), eggplant is one of the most versatilenightshadesaround—and mastering how to cut eggplant means a whole new lane of delicious and healthy recipes to try, including entrees, sides, creamy dips and more.
How to Cook Eggplant
How to Choose the Best Eggplant
Cutting eggplant like a pro means choosing eggplant like one too. Start with size: smaller eggplants are typically more tender, have fewer seeds and are less bitter. “Look for skin that’s smooth (no blemishes) and has a shiny deep purple color,” saysSusan Greeley, M.S., RDN, a chef-instructor at theInstitute of Culinary Education. “When you press it, the eggplant should spring back and not be mushy, crisp or tough.” Check out the stem as well, she adds, which should be a healthy green color with no brown spots, rotting or mold.
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Why You Should Cut Eggplant Just Before Cooking
Although it might be tempting to get a jump on meal prep and cut eggplant ahead, it’s best to cut eggplant right before cooking it so it doesn’t turn brown. “Once eggplant is cut, it starts to oxidize when it comes into contact with the air,” says recipe developerKatie Webster.
What about adding vinegar or lemon juice to keep eggplant from browning? “Unlike fruits where a bit of acidity is welcome (think: apples and avocado), eggplant is too neutral in flavor to add lemon or vinegar to without changing the taste,” says Webster. If youdowant to cut eggplant in advance, keep slices stacked on top of one another and wrap them tightly in plastic.
The Tools You Need to Cut Eggplant
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How to Peel Eggplant
You don’t have to peel eggplant before you cook it, but it’s something you might want to consider if your eggplant is on the larger side—the skin of larger eggplants tends to skew tougher and taste bitter. You can peel eggplant with a paring knife or a vegetable peeler. Here’s how:
Looking for a great dish to use peeled eggplant in? Try ourSicilian Caponatarecipe.
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How to Cut Eggplant into Slices, Rounds and Cubes
Slices
“Eggplant slices, or planks, are perfect for dishes likelasagna,moussakaand other layered, baked dishes,” says Greeley.
Step 1
Lay the eggplant on your cutting board and cut off both ends.
Step 2
Stand the eggplant on its end. Carefully slice into planks from the top down, as thick as your recipe recommends.
Step 3
For shorter planks, cut the eggplant across in half and stand up each half.
Rounds
This cut works well as both a base layer and sandwich topping, like in theseLow-Carb Eggplant PizzasandEggplant Parmesan.
Lay the eggplant on its side and cut off the stem.
Work your way down the eggplant, slicing each round as thick as your recipe recommends.
Once your eggplant is too narrow to stand on its side, lay it cut-side down and slice the final rounds with your knife parallel to the cutting board.
Cubes
Cubed eggplant is a great addition to salads, wraps andpastas, as well as anything that will be blended, such as baba ghanoush, says Grimm.
Stack the slices and cut them lengthwise into strips, keeping the same thickness.
Keeping them stacked and maintaining the same thickness, cut your strips crosswise to create cubes.
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How to Cut Eggplant for Eggplant Parmesan
For eggplant Parm, Greeley recommends looking for eggplants that are completely slender (versus ones that are rounder and wider at the bottom), then cutting them into rounds. (OurEggplant Parmesan,Vegan Eggplant ParmesanandGluten-Free Eggplant Parmesanrecipes are ready when you are.)
Slice off the stem and bottom.
Lay the eggplant on your cutting board and, depending on the recipe you’ve chosen, slice into rounds that are either 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch thick.
How to Cut Eggplant for Grilling
Cut into planks or rounds that are either 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch thick, depending on the recipe you’ve chosen.
To avoid your eggplant sticking to the grill, brush evenly with oil, then season according to your chosen recipe.
How to Cut Eggplant for Stir-Fry
Cutting eggplant for stir-fry is typically done in cubes—as described above—or strips. Once you’ve mastered how to cut up eggplant for stir-fry, use them to create ourEasy Eggplant Stir-FryorGreen Bean, Eggplant & Shrimp Stir-Fry.
Cut into planks about 1/2 inch thick.
Stack the planks and cut them lengthwise or crosswise, depending on how long you’d like the strips to be, making sure to cut them to be the same thickness as the planks to encourage even cooking.
Strips can also be made intoCrispy Eggplant Parmesan Fries. Pair with your fave marinara when you’re in the mood for a super-easy snack!
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