HomeChinese EggPlant

Chinese EggPlant

Chinese EggPlant

Chinese EggPlant

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of Egg Plants.

Chinese varieties of the eggplants are long, slender, cylindrical and less purple than American and Japanese which have a greenish-purple color.

Egg plants belong to the nightshade family of vegetables like tomatoes, sweet peppers, and potatoes. They are grown in the same manner as tomatoes hanging from the vines of the plants which are several feet in height. They have a pleasantly bitter taste and are spongy in texture. The flower is white to purple, with a five-lobed corolla and yellow stamens. The fruit is purple in color with white flesh. The cut surface of the fruit turns brown if kept in air contact for long.

The Eggplants are very nutritional. They are low in calories, high in dietary fiber, a rich source of phytochemicals, which are nutrients from plant-based foods and nearly sodium free. People taking more phytochemicals have a lower risk for heart disease. They have vitamin B1 and copper. They are a good source of manganese, vitamin B6, niacin, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.

Eggplant can be baked, roasted in the oven, or steamed.

Some of the recipes are:

  • Eggplants with garlic sauce
  • Eggplant Parmesan with Ziti
  • Baba ghanoush
  • Szechwan Eggplant Stir-Fry Recipe
  • Chinese Fried Eggplant

Baba ghanoush
Ingredients

  • 1 medium or 3/4 of a large eggplant
  • 1 large clove garlic, grated or finely minced
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 2 Tbsp Tahini
  • sea salt
  • Optional: 2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, parsley or basil, chopped
  • olive oil (for roasting)

Method

  1. Preheat oven to high broil (or medium if you have the ability) and position a rack at the top of the oven.
  2. Slice your eggplant into 1/4 inch rounds and sprinkle with sea salt and place in a colander in the sink to drain any excess liquid. After 10 minutes, rinse slightly and then pat dry between two towels. Arrange on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of sea salt. Roast for 5-10 minutes, turning once or twice, until the eggplant is softened and golden brown. Remove from pan, stack and wrap the rounds in foil to lock in moisture - wait 5 minutes.
  3. Peel away most of the skin of the eggplant (a little is OK) and add flesh to a food processor. It should be soft and tender and the skin should come off easy.
  4. Add lemon juice, garlic, tahini, a pinch of salt and mix until creamy. Add herbs last and pulse to incorporate. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. I added a bit more tahini and another pinch of salt. Serve with pita and/or pita chips and veggies. Will keep covered in the fridge for several days.

Chinese Egg Plant

Chinese Egg Plant

Eggplants in Garlic Sauce

Eggplants in Garlic Sauce

Eggplant Parmesan with Ziti

Eggplant Parmesan with Ziti

Baba ganoush and pita

Baba ganoush and pita

Chinese EggPlant Flower

Chinese EggPlant Flower

Chinese Style Eggplant

Chinese Style Eggplant