Eggplant

About

Raw eggplant has a mild, faintly sweet, apple-like flavor that becomes distinctly savory once cooked. Frying gives it a creamy texture that pairs well with warm sweet spices, while stewing or roasting brings out a musky, mushroom-like quality suited to salty ingredients. A good eggplant should feel taut and firm, with skin that is tight, glossy and slightly springy to the touch.

Pairs well with eggplant

• FrTomatoBoth nightshades, eggplant and tomato need careful handling of tomato's acidity, eggplant's bitterness, and the amount of oil eggplant…
• SuGarlicAssertive garlic balances eggplant's more muted, sometimes bitter character.
• RoChocolateMelanzane al cioccolato, from Sorrento in southern Italy, pairs eggplant and chocolate in variations that include steamed eggplant rolled…
• CiGingerJapanese eggplants, milder and thinner-skinned than the standard variety, readily absorb miso or a ginger-soy broth, though ordinary…
• GrChiliSichuan fish-fragrant eggplant takes its name not from fish but from a seasoning style typically used with fish.
• MeLambEggplant's tendency to absorb fat and juices makes it a natural match for lamb.
• RoSesameSesame, whether as oil, seeds or tahini, is one of eggplant's strongest partners.
• BrMisoEggplant absorbs miso's saltiness into a tender, savory result.
• SpPeppercornWayanad black pepper from Kerala, which can overpower chicken or fish, works well with eggplant and pasta.
• WoWalnutThe pairing is common in Russian, Turkish and Georgian cooking.
• SpNutmegFreshly grated nutmeg (not pre-ground) enhances fried eggplant.
• ChSoft CheeseThough sometimes considered a mismatch, grilled eggplant wrapped around soft mozzarella works well in practice.
• FrYogurtEggplant pairs especially well with sheep's milk yogurt, whose fat content (up to about 7%) it readily absorbs.
• BrProsciuttoA smoky eggplant dip pairs well with grated bottarga or thin ribbons of smoked prosciutto; both bring a pungent, salty note that suits…
• FrPomegranatePomegranate arils add color and a fresh contrast to eggplant.
• GrBell PepperPatlıcan biber, a popular Turkish dish of fried eggplant and green pepper, is served with a tomato-garlic sauce and a garlicky yogurt…
• GrOkraOkra's flavor sits between eggplant and asparagus, and the resemblance to eggplant is strongest when both are stewed, developing a similar…