Eggplants. Pro or Con?

[Jimmie Higgins]

Why are eggplants grown and cultivated? They don't have much nutrients (from my understanding - I could be wrong) and they are bland and not many people like them. I don't think I've ever heard or overheard things like: "Oh boy, is that eggplant in there?" or "This is the best eggplant I've ever had, try some!".

Yet they seem to be in a lot of food. Why? What's in it for the capitalist? Is it just tradition? Is it especially easy to grow and therefore a sort of "filler-food"? What's in it for us? Will no one defend the eggplant!

[citizen of industry]

I'll step up for the eggplant. They are yummy when pickled, and are good in pasta and many asian saute dishes. Plus, they are colorful and fun to grow and pick. If you don't like them, keep eating them until you do.

[Regicollis]

They are lovely in ratatouille...

[GoddessCleoLover]

My defense of the eggplant can be stated in two words; baba ganouj.

[#FF0000]

fuck you if you don't like eggplant

if you dont like eggplant we aren't friends anymore jimmie

[Ostrinski]

I enjoy it in a pasta or stuffing, but not as a central component of the cuisine.

[Ele'ill]

Eggplant Parmesan

[Jimmie Higgins]

fuck you if you don't like eggplant

if you dont like eggplant we aren't friends anymore jimmie:lol: Don't worry I'm only indifferent to them. There are more popular foods that I actually dislike that will derail our friendship at some point. Like soup... wtf soup!

[RedAnarchist]

We call them aubergines here. My opinion of them is one of indifference.

[hatzel]

:lol: Don't worry I'm only indifferent to them. There are more popular foods that I actually dislike that will derail our friendship at some point. Like soup... wtf soup!

Hey buddy I know a great little aubergine soup recipe if you're interested...?

[Quail]

Aubergine can be nice if cooked well.

[Raúl Duke]

I like aubergine/eggplant (especially eggplant parmesan and baba ghanoujs)

[Lynx]

Eggplants don't even contain HFCS, this must be a conspiracy!

[Jesus Saves Gretzky Scores]

I had an eggplant parmesan sandwich once, it was really good.

[khad]

Loaded with antioxidant phenols.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20691749
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17706416
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioxidant_effect_of_polyphenols_and_natural_phen ols

[Prometeo liberado]

Aubergine can be nice if cooked well.

Hmm, an aristocrat.

[Rugged Collectivist]

I don't like them. They're what boredom would taste like if feelings were edible.

My sister likes them though so some people must.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

I'm a bit conservative when it comes to vegetable-like things. I remember aubergines tasting a bit bitter. Nothing about them really grabs me.

I'd rather eat aubergines than parsnips any day, though.

[bricolage]

aubergines taste good if you cook them well, shit if you don't. fry them for a bit and they are still hard on the inside, full of water and bland as well. roast them properly on a low heat for a good time and they delicious, likewise put them directly in the flame on the hob and burn the skin then you can scoop out the inside and it's real nice.

[#FF0000]

I found some small white eggplants that are actually sort of sweet when cooked.

[hatzel]

I found some small white eggplants that are actually sort of sweet when cooked.

Dude I think you're confused. They're just...ah...eggs...

[The Douche]

My girl used to eat eggplant parmesan a lot when she was vegetarian.

I don't really eat any vegetables regularly though.

[Yuppie Grinder]

Best meal I ever had was pan-fried eggplant made by Bosnian friend's mom. I don't know what spices she put in it, but it was unreal.

[brigadista]

nice in curry

[Stand Your Ground]

A nice eggplant parm sub is always a good idea.

[sixdollarchampagne]

We call them aubergines here. My opinion of them is one of indifference.

Ah, but without eggplants, we would lack the lovely word, "aubergine," which, IIRC, is also the name of a nice color. So, hurrah for the under-appreciated eggplant! For a better world, with more eggplants! I intend to vote the straight eggplant ticket this November, so let the bourgeoisie tremble!

[pluckedflowers]

Egg plant can be bitter if not handled properly, but when done well it can also be amazing. The important thing is to cut it and salt it before cooking and let it sit for 15-20 minutes so the salt sucks out the bitter water. Then rinse, dry, and prepare the dish. Probably my favorite dish is this:
http://www.portakalagaci.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/09/24/iftar_1_4.jpg

It's slow-cooked beef cubes on top fried eggplant halves and covered in cheese.