Eggplants are delicious but also very high in calories.
Can you freeze eggplant?
Freezing is a great way to preserve food without losing quality.
However, there are certain foods that should never be frozen.
This includes eggs, meat, fish, dairy, and vegetables.
In this blog post, I’m going to explain you how to freeze eggplant and other vegetables safely.
How to Freeze Eggplant
Eggplants are a vegetable that is very versatile. It can be used in many different ways. One way to freeze eggplant is to cut it into cubes and place them in freezer bags. Once frozen, you can remove the cubes from the bag and store them in a freezer safe container. This method works well if you only need to freeze a small quantity of eggplant. For larger quantities, you can slice the eggplant and lay slices flat on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer until the slices are completely frozen. Then transfer the frozen slices to a freezer bag. To thaw, simply leave the bag in the refrigerator overnight.
Freezing Blanched Eggplant
To blanch eggplant, bring a saucepan of water to boil. Add the eggplant and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain and cool under cold running water. Peel off the skin and pat dry with paper towels. Cut the eggplant lengthwise into 1/2 inch thick slices. Lay the slices flat on a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, about 2 hours. Transfer to a resealable freezer bag and return to the freezer. To thaw, let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Freezing Sliced, Baked Eggplant
To freeze sliced eggplant, place the pieces between layers of waxed paper in a resealable freezer container. Freeze for 3 to 4 hours or overnight. Thaw the eggplant in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
Freezing Eggplant Puree
To freeze puree, pour into a resealable freezer bag and freeze for 3 to 4 hours. Thaw in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours. How to Freeze Vegetables Answer: Place vegetables in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 1 hour or until solid. Transfer frozen vegetables to a resealable freezer plastic bag. Seal and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. ## #
Freezing Eggplant Parmesan
Place eggplant slices in a single layer on aluminum foil. Drizzle olive oil over top and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap tightly and place in the freezer for 2 hours or until completely frozen. Remove from the freezer and unwrap. Cut into strips about ½ inch wide and ¼ inch thick. Lay strips flat on a cutting board and cut crosswise into thin slices. In a bowl combine ricotta cheese, eggs, garlic, oregano, basil, parsley, and black pepper. Spread mixture evenly over eggplant slices. Top each slice with mozzarella cheese and bake for 15 minutes or until cheese melts. Serve immediately. How to Make Homemade Pizza Crusts
Thawing and Using Frozen Eggplant
To thaw frozen eggplant, place it in a colander set over a sink or in the refrigerator overnight. Rinse under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. To remove any remaining moisture, wrap the eggplant in plastic wrap and freeze again. Making Homemade Pizza Crust 1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F 230 degrees C. Place pizza stone on middle rack of oven.
How Long Can You Refrigerate and Freeze Eggplant?
Eggplants can be stored in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks. After that, they begin to lose flavor and texture. It’s best to store them in the freezer if you’re not using them right away.
Can I freeze uncooked eggplant slices?
Eggplants are not only delicious but healthy too. It contains lots of vitamins and minerals. Eggplants are available year round, though they peak during summer months. Eggplants are easy to peel and slice. But if you are planning to eat eggplants raw, you need to wash them well first. You can freeze them whole or cut them into pieces. To freeze them whole, wrap each piece individually in aluminum foil and put them in a ziploc bag. Freeze them for 3-4 days. After thawing, you can either bake them or grill them. To freeze sliced eggplants, simply lay them flat in a single layer in a freezer bag. Do not stack them. Put the bag in the freezer for about 2 weeks. Thaw the eggplants and serve them cold.
How do you freeze raw eggplant?
Yes, you can freeze uncooked eggplant. Just place the slices into freezer bags and freeze them. Once frozen, transfer the slices to a resealable plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator. This will help preserve the texture of the eggplant. How long does eggplant last in the fridge?
What is the best way to freeze eggplant?
Eggplant is a versatile vegetable that can be used in many different ways. It can be added to salads, soups, pasta dishes, and even pizza. Eggplant can be cooked in many different ways. One way is to bake it until tender. Then you can mash it and mix it with other ingredients. Or you can slice it thinly and saute it in olive oil.
Do you have to blanch eggplant before freezing?
To freeze raw eggplant, cut the eggplant into cubes and place in freezer bags. Make sure to label each bag with the name of the recipe and the date. Once frozen, transfer the eggplant to a storage container. To thaw, simply leave the eggplant in the refrigerator overnight.
Can raw eggplant be frozen?
Yes, you have to blanch the eggplant before freezing. Eggplants are very delicate vegetables and if not handled properly, they can easily turn mushy. Blanching helps to remove the bitterness from the vegetable. It also helps to prevent the vegetable from turning black. You can blanch eggplant by either boiling it or soaking it in ice cold water. Boiling works well but takes longer. Soaking in ice cold water is quick but does not give the same result as boiling. Soak the eggplant in ice cold water for about 10 minutes. Drain the eggplant and pat dry with paper towels. Cut the eggplant into 1/2 inch slices. Place the sliced eggplant in a bowl filled with ice cold water. Let the eggplant soak for 5 minutes. Remove the eggplant from the ice cold water and drain off the water. Pat the eggplant dry with paper towels.
What can I do with too much eggplant?
To freeze eggplant, cut it into cubes. Put the cubes into freezer bags and freeze. To thaw frozen eggplant, put it in the refrigerator overnight.
How do you prepare eggplant for freezing?
Eggplants are very versatile vegetables. They can be used in many different ways. One such way is to bake them. Eggplants are great baked because they absorb flavors from other ingredients. This is why they are perfect for stuffing. Here is how to bake eggplants: Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit 200 degrees Celsius. Cut off the stem end of the eggplant. Slice the eggplant into 1/4 inch slices. Place the slices onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Once cooled, store in airtight containers.
