Eggplant (aubergine)

Eggplant / aubergine / brinjal

Flavor and role

Its spongy flesh soaks up oil and seasoning well and turns creamy when cooked.

Typical dishes and uses

Ratatouille, moussaka, baba ganoush, Chinese fish-fragrant eggplant, eggplant curry.

Substitutes

Zucchini 1:1 (less creamy). If bitterness worries you, sprinkle with salt, leave 20 minutes and pat dry.

Storage

2-3 days in a cool place at room temperature, 5-7 days refrigerated (too cold and it spoils).

Main countries

India · China · Italy

Used in this book

RatatouilleMoussakaAdjapsandaliBaba ganoushThai Green Curry with Chicken (Gaeng Keow Wan)İmam BayıldıKare-KareKarnıyarık (Turkish Stuffed Eggplant)Nasu Dengaku (Miso-Glazed Eggplant)SabichSamlor KorkoSayur Lodeh (Javanese Vegetables in Coconut Milk)Sinigang na Baboy (Pork Tamarind Sour Soup)Tempura (Shrimp and Vegetable)Thieboudienne (Senegalese Fish and Rice)Yuxiang Eggplant (Fish-Fragrant Aubergine)ZaaloukOven-Roasted Adjapsandali with Garlic-Herb PasteSichuan Doubanjiang Adjapsandali (Georgian × Chinese)Adjapsandali Bulgur Bowl with Herbed Yogurt and Crispy ChickpeasCharcoal baba ganoush with pine nuts and pomegranate molassesMiso-sesame baba ganoushBaba ganoush eggplant boatsGreen Curry with Hand-Pounded PasteFresh-Roasted Groundnut Soup with Goat and Rice BallsOven-Braised İmam Bayıldı with Slow-Cooked Onionsİmam Bayıldı Parmigiana (Turkish x Italian)İmam Bayıldı Feta Galette with Chilli HoneyOxtail Kare-Kare with Hand-Roasted Peanut Sauce and Homemade Ginisang BagoongKare-Kare Beef Puff Turnovers with Bagoong MayoLamb Karnıyarık with Pepper-Paste Sauce and Sumac OnionsMiso-Glazed Karnıyarık with Ginger Pork (Turkish × Japanese)Karnıyarık Flatbread Pizza with Garlic Yogurt DrizzleCharred-Tomato Goat Light Soup with Garden EggsLamb Moussaka with Pecorino BéchamelMoussaka Doria (Japanese Rice Gratin)Crispy Moussaka BowlTwo-Miso Fried Nasu DengakuMiso Eggplant Parmigiana (Japanese × Italian)Miso Eggplant Cheese ToastConfit Byaldi (Spiral Ratatouille)Ratatouille ShakshukaRatatouille Cheese Melt ToastSabich with Haminados Eggs and ZhugEggplant Katsu Sabich SandoSabich Deviled EggsSamlor Korko with Slow-Simmered Pork Ribs and Smoked FishKroeung Pork and Roasted Pumpkin Rice Bowl with Toasted Rice CrunchSayur Lodeh with Fresh-Pressed Coconut MilkSayur Lodeh Coconut Gratin with Tempeh CrumbClear-Broth Pork Rib Sinigang with Fresh Tamarind ExtractRestaurant-Style Thieboudienne with Fish Stock and NététouSizzling Claypot Yuxiang EggplantYuxiang Eggplant Spaghetti with Basil and Parmesan (Chinese × Italian)Crispy Baked Yuxiang Eggplant Fries with Chilli-Garlic GlazeSmoky Fire-Charred Zaalouk with Preserved LemonZaalouk Pasta alla NormaZaalouk Puff Pastry Tart with Feta and Honey

Updated 2026-10-10