John Myers
How to Freeze Eggplant
- Slice the eggplant into 1-inch rounds. Place rounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 350° for about 15 minutes. Allow the rounds to cool completely.
- Place slices in a freezer-safe bag.
- Label with the date and freeze up to eight months.
Can you freeze eggplant raw?
Yes! You can absolutely freeze eggplant. Eggplant that has been frozen and thawed will never be exactly like fresh eggplant, but there are some things you can do to preserve the texture and taste.
Do you have to blanch eggplant before freezing?
Blanch the eggplant in the boiling water for four minutes. Blanching kills the enzymes that cause eggplants to lose their texture and flavor over time. Eggplant also has a high water content, so it benefits from being cooked slightly before freezing.
What is the best way to preserve eggplant?
Stack the cut eggplant in a container and spray some lemon juice over the slices. Gently toss the eggplant so the lemon juice touches all the pieces. The citric acid helps preserve the freshness of the cut vegetable. Then, seal the container tightly closed.
How do you freeze eggplant with skin on?
- Peel and cube your eggplant. Then, place it on a cookie sheet, toss with olive oil, and sprinkle with minced garlic and salt.
- Roast at 375 F for 45 minutes, or until the eggplant browns nicely, and the centers reach a creamy consistency.
- Allow to cool, then flash freeze on cookie sheets. Transfer to freezer bags, seal, and store in the freezer until you need them.
Do eggplants freeze well?
Cooked eggplant freezes a little bit better than raw, since eggplants are full of water and freezing it raw means that the water makes ice crystals that break cell walls. Then when thawed the eggplant will be mushy and watery. But the eggplant doesn’t need to be fully cooked to mitigate this.
What can I do with too many eggplants?
Lengthwise-sliced eggplant pieces can be pan-fried (or grilled or roasted or broiled), stuffed with ricotta or other cheeses, rolled, and baked into involtini with tomato sauce. Halved Chinese (or any long, slender variety) eggplants can be marinated and microwaved until tender.
How long do you blanch eggplant for freezing?
For blanching, add one-half cup of lemon juice to one gallon of water, and bring it to a boil. Blanch the eggplant slices for 4 minutes, cool, and package in freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible before sealing bags.
How do you defrost frozen eggplant?
If you want to thaw your eggplants, you can take them out of the freezer and place them in the fridge for a few hours. However, you can also just add your slices straight into the pan so it can thaw while cooking.
How do you store eggplant long term?
Can fried eggplant be frozen?
Place the fried eggplant on a baking sheet, and put it in the freezer for two hours so that each individual slice freezes. Once the fried eggplant is frozen, you can transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It will keep for about three to four months.
Should I refrigerate eggplant?
Eggplants do not store well for long periods of time. Without refrigeration, eggplants can be stored in a cool, dry place for 1 or 2 days. If you don’t intend to eat the eggplant within 2 days, it should be refrigerated.
Can you vacuum seal eggplant?
To preserve eggplant for longer, use a vacuum sealer. A vacuum sealer sucks all the air out of the bag. Another way to do this is by sucking out as much air as possible with a plastic straw. If you wish to prevent the eggplant slices from sticking together, wrap them individually in a small sheet of plastic wrap.
Can you freeze eggplant parm before baking?
Assemble dish but do not bake; wrap tightly with foil and freeze, up to 3 months. Thaw completely, then bake as directed.
Why do you soak eggplant before cooking?
Eggplant works like a sponge, soaking up the milk into the flesh of the fruit. The final result is creamy and juicy, and the bitterness is all gone. The quickest way to make your eggplants less bitter is to scoop out and throw away the seeds of the fruit.
What does it mean to blanch eggplant?
Eggplant requires a brief heat treatment, called blanching, in boiling water or steam, to destroy the enzymes before freezing. Cook (blanch) the eggplant for 4 minutes. Begin counting the blanching time as soon as you place the eggplant in the boiling water.
