How do you keep fried eggplant from getting soggy?

With the air pockets full of moisture, there’s not as much room for the oil to soak in. Sprinkle salt over the sliced eggplant, let it sweat for 30 to 60 minutes, then rinse and pat dry before cooking.

How do you store fried eggplant?

Place the fried eggplant on a baking sheet, and put it in the freezer for two hours so that each individual slice freezes. Once the fried eggplant is frozen, you can transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It will keep for about three to four months.

Do you soak eggplant before frying?

“The only exception is when you deep fry it. I tend to soak the slices in a bowl of water with a couple of tablespoon of salt for about 30-45 minutes. It doesn’t have to do with bitterness, but I find that in doing this, the fried eggplant turns out less greasy,” Jenkins says.

Why is my eggplant mushy?

It’s all about visual cues. Discerning farmers’ market shoppers may be used to sniffing and gently squeezing produce to suss out what’s ready for the taking, but if an eggplant is squishy or its skin dimples with a little pressure, it’s past its prime.

How do you reheat fried eggplant?

Just fry the eggplant ahead of time and leave at room temperature or store in the fridge (take out of fridge to come to room temperature before reheating). Reheat in the oven at 350.

How long can you keep fried eggplant?

Properly stored, cooked eggplant will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. To further extend the shelf life of cooked eggplant, freeze it; freeze in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.

Should I refrigerate eggplant?

Eggplants do not store well for long periods of time. … If you don’t intend to eat the eggplant within 2 days, it should be refrigerated. To refrigerate, wrap in a paper towel and place in a reusable container or perforated plastic bag in the crisper section of your refrigerator for use within 5 – 7 days.

Why do you soak eggplant in milk?

Soaking slices or cubes of eggplant in milk fills the porous structure studded with air pockets with milk, leaving no room for oil to be absorbed.

Should I soak eggplant in salt water?

Eggplant: Salting removes excess liquid and some of the bitterness. Today’s eggplants are bred for mildness, thought, so it’s not as important as it used to be. If the recipe calls for it, or if you want to, peel the eggplant before cutting. This method works for eggplant slices, cubes, or planks.

Do you have to soak eggplant in salt water?

Many recipes call for salting and rinsing eggplant before cooking it to draw out its bitterness. Brining can be used instead and has the added advantage of helping the eggplant keep its shape when it’s cooked, whether your recipe calls for baking, frying, or grilling.

How do I know if my eggplant is bad?

If an eggplant’s skin is getting withered and wrinkly, or if the fruit (yeah, eggplant is technically a fruit) is notably soft or squishy, or it just has soft spots anywhere, it’s rotting. If the stem is browning or developing mold – or if there’s mold anywhere else on it – it’s also time to discard the eggplant.

Should Eggplant be firm or soft?

“Eggplant should be slightly firm but not hard,” says Leone. In other words, if you push on it with your finger and the veggie feels very soft, or you’re able to puncture the skin, it’s too far gone. A perfectly ripe eggplant will not have as much give when touched as a ripe tomato or peach.

Should Eggplant be spongy?

Generally, you should aim to choose ones that are fully ripe or almost ripe. That means the vegetable should be quite firm to the touch, but not super firm, and definitely not soft. When choosing, make sure to check for bruises and soft spots. … Now that you’ve bought the veggie, it’s time to put it into storage.

Can you reheat cooked eggplant?

Eggplants are not the easiest to reheat or preserve. They’re notorious for absorbing water and oil, and if you don’t preserve them soon after cooking, they might go bad quickly. However, it’s just as crucial that you reheat it properly as that you store it safely.

Can you slice eggplant ahead of time?

Eggplant: Can brown when exposed to air, so it’s good to peel/cut/cube/slice as you go. Fennel: Can be washed, then thinly sliced or chopped 2 to 3 days in advance. Store in a sealed bag or container with an airtight lid in the refrigerator.

Does eggplant parmesan reheat well?

Do Ahead: Eggplant Parmesan can be made 2 days ahead. Let cool; cover with foil and chill. Reheat in a 350° oven, uncovering halfway through, until bubbling gently at edges.