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How to cut eggplant

Cut eggplant on a plate

Eggplant is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes. However, it can be tricky to cut eggplant without wasting any of the flesh. In this blog post, we will show you how to cut eggplant for any dish. We will also provide tips on how to prevent eggplant from browning.

Here are the steps on how to cut eggplant:

  1. Wash the eggplant and trim the ends.
  2. Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise.
  3. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh from the center of the eggplant.
  4. Cut the eggplant into desired shape and size.

To prevent eggplant from browning, you can:

  • Dip the eggplant slices in lemon juice or vinegar.
  • Sprinkle the eggplant slices with salt.
  • Brush the eggplant slices with olive oil.

By following these tips, you can easily cut eggplant for any dish. So get cooking! Lets cut up eggplant together with my step-by-step guide below with pictures for reference.

How to cut eggplant

Answer

To cut an eggplant, wash it and trim the ends. Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise, then slice it into 1/2-inch thick rounds or cubes. You can also salt the eggplant slices before cooking to prevent them from becoming soggy.

Eggplant is great in a variety of dishes. Whether you’re making eggplant parmesan, eggplant dip, or roasted eggplant, it’s important to know how to cut eggplant properly.

In this article, we will show you how to cut eggplant 3 ways:

  • Slices: This is the most common way to cut eggplant. Slices are perfect for eggplant parmesan, eggplant boats, and grilled eggplant.
  • Cubes: Cubes are a great way to add eggplant to pasta dishes, salads, and stir-fries.
  • Dice: Diced eggplant is perfect for baba ghanoush, eggplant hummus, and other dips.

No matter how you choose to cut your eggplant, it’s important to remember that eggplant will shrink when cooked. To prevent your eggplant from shrinking too much, cut it slightly thicker than you need it to be.

1. Wash

washing eggplant

Wash the eggplant with a mild soap or vegetable spray and then pat them dry. This is an important step to make sure that you get off any bacteria or dirt from the farm or transport.

When you cut through the vegetable, whatever bacteria is on the skin will be introduced inside from the knife cutting into the skin and through the eggplant.

2. Trim

trimming the ends of an eggplant

Trimming an eggplant is simple, as there is very little to trim off. Use a sharp knife to cut off the top of the eggplant, just below the stem and leafy top.

Next, cut off the bottom of the eggplant, removing about ¼ inch of the eggplant. Once you have trimmed the eggplant, you can proceed to cut it into the desired shape and size.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when trimming an eggplant:

  • Use a sharp knife to get clean cuts.
  • Cut the eggplant on a cutting board to prevent it from rolling around.
  • If you are trimming an eggplant for frying, you may want to salt the eggplant slices before cooking. This will help the eggplant cook evenly and prevent it from becoming soggy.

3 ways to cut an eggplant

Eggplant rounds

cutting eggplant rounds

Eggplant rounds are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, such as pizza, eggplant parmesan, and grilled eggplant. They are easy to cut, and the thickness of the slices can be adjusted to suit the desired dish.

To cut eggplant rounds, simply lay the eggplant on its side horizontally on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut through the eggplant lengthwise, creating even slices.

The thickness of the slices will depend on the desired dish. For example, eggplant parmesan typically calls for 1/2-inch-thick slices.

Cubed & Diced Eggplant

dicing eggplant

When dicing eggplant, it is important to remember that it will shrink when cooked. To prevent this, cut the eggplant pieces twice the size you want them to be when cooked.

This will ensure that your eggplant is cooked evenly and does not become mushy. Diced eggplant is a great ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, such as salads, soups, stir-fries, and more.

It is a great way to add fiber and nutrients to your diet.

To dice eggplant, first slice it down the long way into sheets. Then, stack the sheets and cut them again lengthwise. Turn the stack of sheets and dice them into the desired size.

cut Eggplant into wedges

eggplant wedges

Eggplant wedges are can be used in so many ways and a delicious way to enjoy this healthy vegetable.

They can be roasted, grilled, or fried, and they make a great addition to any meal. To cut the eggplant into wedges, simply follow these steps:

  1. Wash the eggplant and trim the ends.
  2. Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise.
  3. Cut each half into 1-inch thick wedges.
  4. If desired, you can brush the wedges with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  5. Roast, grill, or fry the wedges until they are tender and slightly browned.

How to cut eggplant for grilling?

To cut eggplant for grilling, start by cutting off the ends. Then, cut the eggplant in half lengthwise.

Cut each half into quarters lengthwise, or you can slice them and grill them kind of like a steak. If you cut the eggplant too thin, it will not grill well.

Aim for cutting the eggplant into 1/2-inch slices.

How to cut eggplant for stir fry?

Cutting for stir fry you’re looking for a thin consistent size, you can create slices something like a french fry is the dimensions I would focus on.

Cutting eggplant for stir-fry is simple and quick. Here are the steps:

  1. Start by washing your eggplant thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.
  2. Cut off both the stem and the bottom of the eggplant.
  3. Stand the eggplant upright and slice it in half lengthwise.
  4. Lay each half flat on your cutting board, and cut lengthwise again to quarter the eggplant.
  5. Now, cut each quarter crosswise into slices, about 1/2 inch thick. You should end up with long, slender pieces of eggplant.
  6. If the eggplant is large, you may want to cut these slices in half, lengthwise, once more. This way, the eggplant pieces will cook evenly and be bite-sized for stir-fry.

Remember, eggplant can discolor quickly once cut, so it’s best to use it immediately or soak it in water with a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning.

What to look for when buying eggplant

When you are buying eggplant you want to look at the skin. Good-looking skin is a great indicator of freshness.

Make sure there aren’t any bruises or cuts on the skin. You can buy them in all kinds of variety of colors which all have their own uniqueness.

It’s good to know how to freeze eggplant so that you can prolong its shelf life and have it on hand for future dishes.

Frequently asked questions about how to cut eggplant

It’s not necessary to peel eggplant in most cases as its skin is entirely edible. However, the skin can be tough, especially in larger, more mature eggplants. Depending on the texture you prefer or the recipe, you might choose to peel it.

For eggplant parmesan, slice the eggplant crosswise into 1/2-inch thick rounds. This thickness allows for a good balance of crispy exterior and tender interior after frying, which works perfectly in layers with sauce and cheese in eggplant parmesan.

To prevent eggplant from turning brown after cutting, immerse the pieces in water with a squeeze of lemon. The acid in the lemon helps to prevent oxidation, which is what causes the browning.

Cut eggplant

How To Cut Eggplant (3 Easy Ways)

Bob
How to cut eggplant three ways. We are going to cut rounds, cubes and wedges.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2
Calories 57 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 eggplant

Instructions
 

  • Wash your eggplant under cold water. You can use a vegetable spray or a mild soap. This is to get off all of the bacteria and dirt from the eggplant that might have gotten on them from the farm or from transport.
  • Trim your eggplant by simply cutting off the top and bottom. Cut the top off just under the leafy top. At the bottom cut off just where it starts to round.
    All you will cut from the bottom will be 1 inch.

Rounds

  • Now that you are all trimmed up, go ahead and lay the eggplant horizontally in front of you. Cut across and all the way through every 1/4 inch or so.
    The size that you cut your rounds will depend on how thick you want them but I like them this thick.

Diced

  • Stack 2 or 3 rounds on top of each other and cut into 3rds or 4th across the eggplant.
    Then you want to turn your pile and cut again across the pile the same way you cut before, making them cross over the other cuts.
    The pieces will fall and you will have diced eggplant.

Wedges

  • Cut the ends off, slice the eggplant in half and then cut wedges from the halves.

Notes

Tip: Watch the video for a step by step.

Nutrition

Serving: 2gCalories: 57kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 524mgFiber: 7gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 53IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg
Keyword eggplant for parmesan, How to cut eggplant
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