What is the difference between Italian eggplant and regular 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.

Why do you need to soak eggplant before frying?

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.

Should you peel eggplant for eggplant Parmesan?

Do you have to peel eggplant before you cook it? The peel of an eggplant is completely edible . However, as the eggplant grows bigger and matures, the peel may become tough and bitter. People often prefer to peel larger eggplants because of this, but smaller eggplants do just fine unpeeled.

What is the plu for Italian eggplant?

Italian Eggplants Case Net Weight: 11lb. Tray Count: 28ct – 32ct. PLU Number: 4599. Sizes Available: Bulk. Levels: 18. Cases per Pallet: 90. Net Pallet Weight: 990. Temperature: 50 F. Humidity: 85.

Why do you soak eggplant in milk?

Yes, soaking eggplant in milk is said to help draw out the bitterness .

Do I rinse eggplant after salting?

Once little droplets of moisture start to appear, rinse your eggplant slices under cold water to remove excess salt .

What is the best oil to fry eggplant in?

Heat 1/4 inch of grapeseed oil in a nonstick skillet over medium until hot enough for frying. The ideal temperature for frying eggplant is about 365-375 degrees F. The best way to monitor the temperature is to use a deep fry or candy thermometer; or, you can drop a small piece of bread into the oil.

What is the secret to cooking eggplant?

Eggplants are known to absorb a lot of fat while cooking. A useful tip to prevent sogginess and greasiness is to salt sliced or diced eggplant and let it sit for an hour . This helps to draw out moisture. Next, rinse and drain any liquid from the sliced eggplant, then pat dry before cooking.

How to prevent eggplant from absorbing oil when frying?

Typically eggplant behaves like a sponge, soaking up heroic amounts of oil when fried. The Terzo Piano chefs use this trick to prevent heavy aubergines: Before frying, soak the strips of eggplant in an ice water bath . They will absorb water and drop in temperature.

Why do you soak eggplant in vinegar?

Soaking eggplant in water and vinegar helps remove some of the vegetable's natural bitterness . This step also helps preserve some of the skin's color so it stays a vibrant purple even after cooking.

How thin to slice eggplant for eggplant parmesan?

How to Make Eggplant Parmesan – Step by Step Salt the eggplant. After slicing the eggplant into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick cuts, sprinkle with coarse salt and let the salt sit for 10 minutes. ... Pat the eggplant dry. Then use paper towels to pat the eggplant dry, wiping off the additional salt as well. May 8, 2024

What is an Italian eggplant?

Italian Eggplant They tend to have a sweeter flavor than globe eggplant . They aren't officially Italian but are labeled as Italian in the U.S. and used in Italian recipes, such as eggplant Parmesan and melanzane fritte al pomodoro, fried eggplant in tomato sauce.

What is the best tasting eggplant?

One of the most popular was the long, thin, purple eggplant from Taiwan known as Ping Tung . This is an exceptional eggplant with sweet, pleasant tasting flesh. The plants are incredibly prolific and produce throughout the entire season. They are more disease resistant than other eggplants.

Italian Eggplant Pie Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (2024)

Home / Recipes / Recipe Type / / Italian Eggplant Pie

ByRosemaryJuly 31, 2019August 24, 2022August 24, 2022

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An easy Savory Pie, the perfect way to use up summer eggplant. Layers of eggplant, two types of cheese, spices and dried tomatoes. The perfect combination for an appetizer or main dish.

Sweet or Savory Pies that is the question. To tell the truth I was never one nor the other. Although I have to say I was always the pie baker in the family.

When it came to Thanksgiving I would be the designated Pumpkin or even Apple Pie baker. But after I moved to Italy, I became more intrigued by Savory Pies, from the Dough to some delicious pies.

I found the perfect way to use up some summer tomatoes in a Tomato Cheese Pie and during the cooler weather I never forgot to serve a Savory Rustic Pie.

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But this summer with a few extra eggplant hanging around I thought it was time to try this delicious Eggplant Pie. I wanted something different to make with some left over pie dough I had.

I discovered this pie from Giallo Zafferano which contained all the ingredients we love, a creamy Italian cheese, parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and of course eggplant, this I believed would be perfect. And I was right!

I decided to lightly grill the eggplant before layering it in the pie, because one we prefer the flavour and two no mushy veggies for the Italian.

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Table of Contents

How to make an Eggplant Pie

Thinly slice the eggplant and place in a bowl, toss with one teaspoon of salt and let sit for 20 minutes.
Drain the eggplant then lightly grill. You can either pan grill it or grill it on a bbq.
I had enough leftover Savory Pie dough from my Savory Zucchini Pie for this pie, although you could use a store-bought pie crust if you prefer.

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Fit the dough into the pie plate and prick well with a fork.
Make two layers, starting with a layer of the grilled eggplant slices.

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Then sprinkle with the spices, parmesan cheese.
Top with some chopped dried tomatoes, shredded fontal or gruyere cheese.
Then sprinkle a little more parmesan, drizzle with olive oil, and continue for another layer.
Bake and serve warm. So good!

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If the crust starts to brown too much, then cover the pie with foil and continue baking.

What to serve with a Savory Pie

A savory pie can be served with your favourite crusty bread or even bruschetta, or a simple tossed salad. Or how about some roasted veggies?

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How to store a Savory Eggplant Pie

Any leftover pie should be covered in plastic or stored in an airtight container and stored in the fridge. It will keep for 2-3 days in the fridge.

Because of the fresh ingredients, you could freeze the pie either cooked or raw. If cooked make sure that the pie is completely cooled before wrapping it in plastic and storing in either an airtight container or freezer bag.

If raw then wrap well in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container or freezer bag. The pie can be baked directly from freezer without thawing. It will probably need to be baked an extra 10 minutes.

If you decide to try something different with a couple eggplants, then I hope you give this Savory Eggplant Pie a try and let me know how it turns out. Buon Appetito!