So I decided to grow my own vegetable garden in the summer of 2011. I usually just grow tomatoes. This year I was a bit adventurous. I started to grow my own eggplants. The big purple ones. At first they were the size of my fingers. Turns out, eggplants need lots & lots of water (who knew?). So i started to water, & water & water. Then at times i would end up with these huge beautifully looking monsters!
My neighbors all got two or three helpings, a week! Not wanting to make eggplant parmigiana every night, I did research for other recipes that just might make me go hhhhmmm. Well one night we decided to just have fried eggplant. Why not? These were pretty good. This is how I started.
1) First cut up the eggplant. Make sure you cut off both ends. Be careful with the crown. It has small spike like points that really hurt. I liked cutting then in small round. It would be easier to fry.
2) Put them in a colander and salt them. Let them drip for 15 to 20 minutes. By salting them it helps remove the extra fluid the eggplant has and some of the bitter juice so that it doesn't have a nasty flavor.
3) Next prepare your stations. One of flour (season the flour. Trust me. Who wants plain jane flour?), one of egg wash and the last the crust you would want on your fried eggplant. You can do bread crumbs, panko bread crumbs, corn meal or even flour again.
4) Make sure you rinse the salt off the eggplant and dry well. Then dredge in flour, egg wash & bread crumbs. Put them on a rack so they can dry well. It helps with the frying process.
5) Heat up some oil. For a "healthier oil use canola oil. You can use any vegetable oil, shortening or a combination of both.
6) Fry on both sides until golden brown. They take them out either drain on a rack or place on paper towels to drain the excess oil. Remember to re-season once they come out of the hot oil. This step helps the seasoning to stick to the food. Like when you step out of a hot shower & you immediately put lotion on. It just makes it stick better.
This could be a great side item for dinner or even as the main course. Who just doesn't like fried eggplant? Hope you like it. Try it & let me know what you think.
Till next time.
