Clairee Belcher asked Ouiser Boudreaux on the hit movie Steel Magnolias starring Dolly Parton “Would you call that color Grape or Aubergine?” Ouiser responded “You’re makin a fool outta yourself Claree. All the listeners want to hear about are touchdowns and injuries! No one gives a <censored> about that Eggplant stuff.”
Well, I know all about that Eggplant stuff this summer. It seems that the local gardens have been blessed with an overabundance of Aubergine better known as Eggplant.
This summer I participated in a CSA. The experience was wonderful, and I look forward to participating in 2012 as well. My CSA is Cullennook Farms. Carol Cowan and her family provided me with 10 pounds of locally produced vegetables for 12 weeks. I really enjoyed the variety and finding something to do with the week’s surprise.
So I have been making several different recipes with Eggplant. Below are four of my favorite.
Eggplant Parmesan-It was good but instead of baking the eggplant I breaded and baked. It would have been much better if I would have fried the eggplant. Furthermore, the slices were a little thick. They should have been cut thinner. I also let the eggplant soak in salt water after slicing for about an hour. After that I dried them well before dipping them in egg then coating in italian bread crumbs before baking.
Moussaka (Baked Eggplant with Potatoes) this was good but instead of using ground beef, I used spicy Italian Sausage. This dish was a good way to use Eggplant
Eggplant Caviar – Some refer to this as Turkish Caviar. This was so far the best. An easy way to use an Eggplant. Cut Eggplant in half. Cut some slits in the eggplant insert some garlic and be generous. The garlic will roast as well. Top with butter. Roast for approximately 40 minutes in a 400-degree oven. Let cool. Scoop out insides and puree them in food processor. Some add a little of greek yogurt. I didn’t do that and enjoyed on crackers as a dip. This one is a make again for sure. Another food blogger did a similar but more complex recipe of this. AllRecipes.com did a simple version similar to mine.
Hillbilly Eggplant Casserole. This apparently is a recipe that has been around forever. Some refer to it as a substitute for an oyster casseroles around the holidays. This too was a good way to use eggplant. Thank you Jane Warren for sharing this one with me.
What is your favorite way to use an Eggplant?