Want to know how to freeze eggplant? Keep reading! This is the easiest and best way for perfect frozen eggplant in no time!
So you bought a lot more eggplant than what you could eat? Maybe you like the eggplant so much that you decided to buy them in bulk?
Whatever the reason, you need to freeze eggplant to slow down the decomposition process, and you can enjoy this vegetable for months!
Eggplant is a very balanced vegetable with good taste and fantastic to use in many healthy recipes.
So it is always better to have a supply of this vegetable at standby whenever you need it.
Can you freeze eggplant?
Yes, the eggplant can be frozen and kept safe for months! In its raw form, this vegetable can only stay for a few days at best. If you put it in the freezer, it may last for around 1-2 weeks. However, once you freeze this vegetable, it can last approximately eight months!
How to freeze eggplant [Step by Step]
You can use this dark-purple-colored vegetable for roasting, baking, and cooking healthy and delicious meals! That’s why you should freeze it properly. To always have a supply of eggplants whenever and for wherever you need it!
In this post we share how to freeze cauliflower in no time
In theory, you could freeze the eggplants without any heating. However, it will reduce the shelf life of this vegetable because it contains around 92% water content in its raw form!
Such a high water content can prove to be a perfect breeding ground for any microorganism and spoil your eggplant even in the frozen state.
You can use your oven for cooking the eggplant partially. However, we are not looking to entirely cook it at this stage as there will be no point in freezing it if it’s wholly cooked.
There are two ways of cutting it when it comes to this vegetable, and it depends on how you want to use it later on.
How to freeze eggplant slices
The first way is to cut it into rounds or slices. In this shape, it can be used for cooking, parm, and even sandwiches. If that’s what you are after, use a knife to make small round slices of eggplant with around 1-inch thickness. Next, heat the oven at 350°F, and then put the eggplant on a baking sheet into the oven. You need to cook it for a maximum of around 20 minutes until it becomes a bit tender.
Let the slices cool down, and finally, place them on wax paper separately, and put them in the freezer bag.
Label the bags with the freezing date and put them in the freezer.
How to freeze eggplant puree
If you plan to use this vegetable for recipes such as soups, spreads, sauces, and stews, then you don’t have to cut it down into slices.
Wash the eggplants to remove any dirt or unwanted particles. Then use a fork or knife to poke holes into the eggplant so that the heat can reach inside the vegetable.
Finally, heat the oven at 450°F and then roast it on a baking sheet for around half an hour (30 minutes max).
You will notice that the vegetable has collapsed due to the heat and cooking. Use a spoon or some other appropriate accessory to scoop the flesh of the eggplant.
Let the eggplant puree cool down completely before transfer to the appropriate container or bag and freeze it in the freezer.
FAQs about freezing eggplant
How long can I use eggplant after freezing?
Once frozen, they can last anywhere from 8 months to 1 year.
Is this freezing eggplant easy?
Yes, it is effortless and can save you trips to the supermarket! The next time you need this vegetable, you can go to your freezer instead of a store.
Implements and equipment you need to freeze eggplant
To freeze eggplant, you only need:
- Knife or fork. It depends if you will freeze the eggplant in slices or puree.
- Baking sheet.
- Wax paper.
- Plastic bags.
How to thaw eggplant
You can use an oven or stove to warm them enough so that they are no longer frozen. However, a more straightforward approach is to add the eggplant directly into the sauces, stews, or whatever you are cooking.
What can you make with frozen eggplant
You can prepare many recipes using frozen eggplant, like eggplant parmigiana, dips, or stew.
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