Can eggplant be eaten raw?

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Permalink Reply by silvergirlsouth on January 14, 2009 at 8:14pm

i have eaten the little graffiti eggplants raw (not a large amount), but probably wouldn't eat one of the larger more traditional types ...

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Permalink Reply by Paulina on January 14, 2009 at 8:15pm

Yeah, that's what I thought because I've seen raw recipes that call for eggplant but usually the eggplant is of a smaller variety. The one I bought is the traditional larger kind.

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Permalink Reply by Russ on January 14, 2009 at 8:17pm

I'm pretty sure it's ok! I've been to raw restaurants and have been served raw eggplant (marinated and thinly sliced) and have also prepared it myself. I'm not sure of the prep process at the restaurant, but at home I simply cubed it and marinated it in olive oil and spices, skin and all, then just added some veggies. It seemed ok in both cases!

In regards to the above comment, the one I ate at home was the regular large variety. Also, I've seen recipes for eggplant pizza and made a version at home as well, again with the large eggplant. I just sliced it and dehydrated the slices to soften them up.

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Permalink Reply by silvergirlsouth on January 14, 2009 at 8:24pm

dehydrating would make a difference. if you have one of the larger type Paulina, you might also want to slice it and then salt it first before using to take any bitterness out.

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Permalink Reply by Paulina on January 14, 2009 at 8:25pm

Thanks, that's a good idea.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on January 14, 2009 at 8:35pm

Eggplant is fine eaten raw, though it does have a slightly bitter taste that might lead some to think of it as "toxic" to the body... Given that you aren't concerned with that, you can salt and rinse it to remove some of the bitterness and make it more tender.

It's probably one of those "good-in-moderation" kind of fruits... That being said, it is effective in treating high blood cholesterol, blocking free radicals, and is a good source of folic acid and potassium.

(Nicotine is actually in the chemical makeup of the plant- the largest quantity found in any edible plant -but it would take about 20lbs of eggplant to yield the same amount as a cigarette contains.)

Thanks for posting...I had been wanting to do a little eggplant research!

Take care :)

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Permalink Reply by morning on January 14, 2009 at 8:36pm

to prepare a raw eggplant, you have to strain the "bitter" out....to do this, slice it, then lightly salt both sides of each slice, place all slices ontop of each other, and put a heavy plate or bowl on top of the slices to add pressure, a dark liquid will start to seep out, after an hour or so, you can rinse your eggplant, and make into yummy raw goodies.....enjoy.

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Permalink Reply by Paulina on January 14, 2009 at 8:37pm

Thanks morning and Mike! Very useful advice indeed

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Permalink Reply by Chava on January 14, 2009 at 9:05pm

any recipes for raw Babaganush?

thanx

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Permalink Reply by Chava on January 14, 2009 at 9:25pm

nothing tastes like eggplant fire-roasted with a bit of salt & garlic, yum

i imagine raw eggplant being tasteless

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Permalink Reply by Joel on January 15, 2009 at 3:13pm

I'd rather flame kiss it than metal blade it myself.

Raw except for the eggplant.

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Permalink Reply by telefunken on January 14, 2009 at 10:27pm

raw Babaganush

blend in processor:

1 eggplant (skinned and chopped)
1/2c sesame seeds (grind in a coffee grinder)
1T olive oil
1t salt
1 lemon juiced and strained
1 clove garlic

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