Eggplants are a typical summer vegetable, delicious and easy to use in the kitchen: you just need to know how to cook them and apply a few small precautions during preparation. But what if we wanted to enjoy them in the winter too? Eggplants can be preserved in various ways: in the refrigerator, in the freezer, or by making delicious preserves, which will keep you from longing for them during the cold months. Here are the best methods for preserving eggplants for as long as possible.
How to Store Uncooked Eggplants
Uncooked eggplants can be stored at room temperature for a few days, or in the refrigerator or freezer for longer. When purchasing, choose eggplants with shiny skin, free of bruises or soft spots. Avoid overripe eggplants, which have a bitter taste and a spongy texture.
Store at Room Temperature
Eggplants are rather delicate vegetables and ripen very quickly at room temperature , softening and losing their flavor. Therefore, we recommend storing them at room temperature for only a few hours, or 1-2 days at most. If you must store them at room temperature, choose the firmest ones and place them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, wrapped in kitchen paper or absorbent paper. Do not wash or cut them.
Store in The Refrigerator
The refrigerator is the ideal way to preserve raw eggplant for a few days. Before storing them in the refrigerator, wrap each eggplant in paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Choose the least cold section of the refrigerator, avoiding the crisper drawer, which is typically more humid. Even in the refrigerator, eggplant doesn't last long: consume it within a week.
How to Freeze Eggplants
If you want to preserve eggplant for a longer period, the freezer is the best option: if you freeze them raw, however, remember that they will lose some flavor and texture. When eggplants are frozen raw, they tend to lose a lot of water during thawing, becoming soft and watery; furthermore, the flavor may be slightly altered. The ice crystals that form during freezing can damage the eggplant cells, altering their texture. We therefore recommend blanching them lightly and letting them cool completely before freezing, then placing them in special bags. Cooked eggplants will keep in the freezer for about 6 months.
How to Store Cooked Eggplants
You can also preserve cooked eggplant: in the freezer or as a preserve. This way, you can enjoy it for a long time, even when it's no longer in season.
1. Grilled or Fried Eggplants
If you want to preserve cooked eggplants, we suggest grilling or frying them. When preparing them for your dishes, you can simply cook a few more. Once cooked, let them cool completely, then you can proceed in two ways: put them all in a bag together, or place them on a tray, put them in the freezer for a few hours, and only then put them back in the bag. This second option is particularly useful if you need to freeze a lot of them: you can thaw individual slices without having to thaw them all. Once you thaw them, put them in the refrigerator for a few hours, then proceed to bake them or use them in your recipes.
2. Pickled Eggplants in Oil
Eggplant preserved in oil is one of the tastiest and easiest preserves to make: a method that allows you to keep eggplants fresh for longer. In our recipe, the eggplants are peeled, cut into sticks, and then blanched in water acidulated with white wine vinegar. Once cooked, they are transferred to sterilized glass jars and seasoned with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and chili pepper.
If the jars have been properly sterilized and hermetically sealed, eggplant in oil can be stored for about a year in a cool, dry place, away from light. However, it's best to consume them at least three months after preparation, to allow the flavors to meld. Once the jar is opened, it's best to transfer the eggplant and its oil to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator: they will keep for 4-5 days.
3. Caponata
Another useful way to preserve eggplant and have it ready to eat as is, without further cooking, is caponata. This recipe can be enjoyed immediately after letting it cool, or it can be stored in sterilized jars, just like eggplant preserved in oil. Once opened, refrigerate the preserves and consume within 4-5 days.
4. Eggplant Cream
Making an eggplant purée is another useful method for preserving eggplant, although its consistency will be altered. However, you can use these preparations as appetizers without having to cook the eggplant. To preserve it in jars, pour the eggplant purée while still hot into previously sterilized glass jars and seal them tightly. For longer preservation, you can place the jars in a double boiler: immerse them in a pan of boiling water for at least 30 minutes, separating them with a cloth so they don't rattle. You can also make an eggplant pesto and freeze it in espresso cups: this way, you can thaw only the portion you need.
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