What can I substitute for Japanese eggplant?
What can I substitute for Japanese eggplant?
- Globe eggplant (a.k.a. American eggplant)
- Italian eggplant
- Rosa Bianca eggplant
- Indian eggplant
- White eggplant
- Okra
- Zucchini
- Portobello mushrooms
How do you make Japanese eggplant?
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Cut the eggplant in half and then slice it into thin strips.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the eggplant strips and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook until tender, about 10 minutes. ...
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. ...
What is the best eggplant variety?
Large oval eggplant:
- Black Beauty. Fine flavor; holds well. ...
- Black Magic. Purple-black oval, bell shaped fruit.
- Dusky. Firm, very good quality flesh. ...
- Early Bird. Very early producer. ...
- Imperial Black Beauty. Excellent strain of this popular variety, plants average 18 to 24 inches tall and usually bear four large dark-purple eggplant fruit, 1-3 pound each.
- Rosa Bianca. ...
How do you take care of Japanese eggplant?
- Water the eggplants thoroughly with a garden hose.
- Apply wood or straw mulch around the base of the eggplants about 4 weeks after planting to protect them from moisture loss and excessive heat.
- Harvest eggplants once the fruits reach about 10 inches long.
- Things You Will Need.
- Tips.
- References (4)
- About the Author.
See more
Is Japanese eggplant different from regular eggplant?
Chinese and Japanese eggplant are similar to each other in size and shape, which is to say that they are long and slender. The difference is that Chinese are lighter purple, and Japanese are a dark purple like the American eggplant.
What is the difference between Chinese and Japanese eggplant?
Characterized by their long, narrow shape, both Japanese and Chinese eggplant can be hard to differentiate. Japanese eggplant tends to have a much deeper purple color, while Chinese eggplant is usually lighter, more lavender-purple, and is sometimes even longer.
What is the difference between Japanese and Italian eggplant?
The smaller version of the larger purple skinned eggplant is often called Italian or baby eggplant. These have a somewhat more intense flavor and the flesh is much more tender. The straight thin eggplants known as Japanese or Asian eggplant have thin delicate skins like Italian eggplant but the flesh is sweeter.
Can I use regular eggplant instead of Japanese eggplant?
In most recipes, the different types of eggplant are interchangeable. If you would like to serve a more delicate eggplant than the common type, use the mild-flavored, excellent Chinese and Japanese varieties.
What is the best tasting eggplant?
Sweet, tender, flavorful and creamy, Fairy Tale are simply the best eggplants we've ever tasted," says Taylor. This quick-cooking variety is so delicious that it doesn't even need to be salted. Taylor suggests slicing them lengthwise, then tossing them into stir-fries or sautés, or skewering them on the grill.
Does Japanese eggplant taste like eggplant?
Japanese eggplants, like Chinese eggplants, have a tender skin and it has a sweet flavor as they are also seedless. A thing to note here though is that they do get a little more 'bitter' as they mature, so if you prefer a 'sweeter' taste, you may want to find a younger Japanese eggplant.
Are Japanese eggplants less bitter?
Japanese eggplants are known for their long, slender fruit, with thin skins and few seeds. The mild, delicately flavored flesh is less bitter than some of the varieties you would typically find in the grocery store.
Do you peel Japanese eggplant before cooking?
Japanese eggplant has a thin skin, so it is no need to peel it and you can grill or bake them. It will be soft and pleasant to eat!
What is Japanese eggplant good for?
Because of its firm texture, which turns creamy during cooking yet holds its shape, Japanese eggplant is especially good for baking, broiling, grilling, and stir-frying. All eggplant is a good source of dietary fiber, B vitamins, and potassium. It's also rich in powerful antioxidants.
What is a substitute for Japanese eggplant?
What are the best eggplant substitutes? To replace eggplant in cooking your best options are okra, zucchini, mushrooms, summer squash, or root vegetables. Although eggplant is fairly unique in flavor and texture, these alternatives won't be out of place in most dishes. In some cases, you may enjoy the new option more.
What does Japanese eggplant taste like?
3. Flavor: Globe eggplants have a slightly bitter taste, so chefs prefer salting or seasoning them during preparation. Japanese eggplants have a milder flavor with a sweet tinge and don't require as much salt or seasonings.
Why is it called Japanese eggplant?
Japanese eggplants, botanically classified as Solanum melongena, are slender, purple-hued varieties belonging to the Solanaceae, or nightshade family. The name Japanese eggplant is used as a general descriptor for many different varieties of eggplants grown in Japan.
Does Chinese eggplant taste the same as regular eggplant?
China is the world's top producer and consumer of eggplant, so it's apt that the Chinese eggplant variety is so distinct. It has a lighter, almost pastel exterior, with a white flesh and sweeter taste that fits its appearance. The Chinese variety contains fewer seeds than globe eggplants, and are therefore less bitter.
Are Chinese eggplants less bitter?
Because they have fewer seeds, Chinese eggplants are less bitter than globes and do not need to be salted. Salt is used to draw out bitterness, but this variety is naturally sweet.
What is Chinese eggplant?
A specific and popular type of eggplant, Chinese eggplants have fewer seeds and thinner skin than their sister varieties. Larger eggplants are called “globes,” but Chinese eggplants are long and thin. They are lighter lavender than some of their counterparts and are less bitter.
Are Japanese eggplants less bitter?
Japanese eggplants are known for their long, slender fruit, with thin skins and few seeds. The mild, delicately flavored flesh is less bitter than some of the varieties you would typically find in the grocery store.
From Japanese to Italian to Thai
An award-winning food writer and cookbook author, Molly Watson has created more than 1,000 recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients.
Globe Eggplant (a.k.a. American Eggplant)
Should we be surprised that globe eggplants, the biggest and fattest of eggplants, are also known as American eggplants? Their big, meaty texture makes them particularly well suited for slicing and grilling . Their size also makes them good candidates for roasting or grilling whole .
Italian Eggplant
These large dark purple eggplants are a bit smaller than globe eggplants and often have a teardrop shape. They tend to have a sweeter flavor than globe eggplant. They aren't officially Italian but are labeled as Italian in the U.S.
Japanese Eggplant
Although named Japanese (or Chinese) eggplant, these longer and thinner eggplants aren't restricted to Japan or Japanese cuisine. Their slim shape makes them particularly good for cutting on the bias (a.k.a. " roll cutting ") and stir-frying in big chunks.
Rosa Bianca Eggplant
You may have trouble resisting this variety at the market because they are so darn pretty; unfortunately, the beautiful purple and white markings on this eggplant do not retain their vibrancy once the vegetable is cooked.
Indian Eggplant
These cute and squat eggplants are common in Indian cooking. They are good to slice and fry or cube and stew. Use Indian eggplant to make a vegan eggplant baigan ka bharta, a mashed spiced eggplant dish; or try them in bharvaan baingan, stuffed eggplant.
Thai Eggplant
These small eggplant orbs common in Thailand aren't always green—they come in purple and white, too—but they definitely have a tendency to be more bitter than other types of eggplants. To minimize this, be sure to remove their seeds before cooking.
Dark Purple and Black Varieties
Asian eggplant with dark purple to black skin colors tend to originate primarily in Japan.
Bright Purple Varieties
Typically from China, the bright purple Asian eggplant varieties are just as tender and tasty as the dark purple ones.
Pink and Lavender Varieties
These pastel cultivars of Asian-type eggplants are worth trying – if for nothing other than their enchanting colors.
Green Varieties
Green eggplants are popular throughout Asia, where they seem to be just as widespread as purple varieties.
An Eggcellent Selection
Whether the Asian eggplant of your dreams is petite or serpentine, whether it’s a super productive hybrid or an heirloom with a history, whether it’s dark black, bright purple, pale pink, or lime green, with all these choices, you’ll be sure to find one to give a special place to in your backyard garden.
How to make Japanese Eggplant
Eggplant can be enjoyed in multiple forms. Because you can use so many different cooking methods, each Japanese region and culture has its way of making it.
Japanese Miso Eggplant (Nasu Dengaku) recipe
It takes around fifteen minutes to prepare this easy recipe. Having a delicious taste and extraordinary appearance, this recipe can be used when time is short or something light and mouth-watering is required. It serves two to three people and can be presented to guests to make a statement of original Japanese delight.
Miso Eggplant: Cooking Tips
If you want the eggplant to be extra soft and tender, soak it in water for a few minutes.
Miso Eggplant: Nutritional Information
Each serving of this miso eggplant has about 290 calories, 16 grams of fat, 27 grams of carbohydrates, and 94 mg of sodium.
What to Serve with Miso Eggplant?
As I mentioned before, it’s perfectly fine to have this dish as a main course, but some delicious pairings complement the savory miso flavors.
Grilled Eggplant Recipe
Japanese eggplants can be easily grilled. Since they are much softer and smoother than regular eggplant, their cooked filling gives a mushy effect.
Pickled Eggplant Recipe
Eggplant Pickles are very strong in taste and are often used as a side dish with three-course meals. They add an exciting flavor to the food and that’s why native Japanese, as well as a lot of foreigners, love these!
1. Graffiti Eggplant
Graffiti eggplant, sometimes called Sicilian eggplant, get its name from its purple and white stripes. Unfortunately, the stripes do disappear when the eggplant is cooked. This variety is completely multi-purpose — it can be used in any recipe regular eggplant is called for.
2. Italian Eggplant
While it may look a whole lot like the standard globe eggplant you find at the grocery store, Italian eggplant is distinct. It’s slightly smaller, but still quite large and fat, and the flesh tends to be more tender. Use it in any preparation, but of course it’s wonderful used in Italian dishes like caponata.
3. Japanese and Chinese Eggplant
Characterized by their long, narrow shape, both Japanese and Chinese eggplant can be hard to differentiate. Japanese eggplant tends to have a much deeper purple color, while Chinese eggplant is usually lighter, more lavender-purple, and is sometimes even longer.
4. Fairy Tale Eggplant
This tiny eggplant is easily the cutest one around. This heirloom variety has purple and white stripes and is no bigger than the palm of your hand. They can be prepared in the same way as larger eggplants, but take especially well to grilling since they’re so tender.
5. White Eggplant
There are lots of white varieties out there, but what sets them all apart is, of course, their pure white skin. Inside, however, is the same eggplant flesh we all know and love. Prepare it just like you would any standard eggplant.
6. Indian Eggplant
Also called baby eggplant, this variety is small and squat with a dark reddish-purple color. You can use it in an Indian preparation like a curry, but it’s also great roasted or stuffed.
7. Little Green Eggplant
This heirloom variety is plump and round with a pale green-colored skin. It has a mild flavor and cooks up extra creamy. It can be used in any recipe that calls for regular eggplant.
