Eggplant is extremely useful as it contains a huge set of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. It has many beneficial substances that contribute to the elimination of bad cholesterol, so it is called a good substitute for heart medicines.
But by its nature, eggplant is extremely sensitive to crisp storage conditions.
Should eggplant be refrigerated and how to store it properly? Read this article and learn the responses to these questions.
How to Choose Eggplants for Storage?
The main secret to keeping the eggplants crisp for as long as possible is to carefully select them. Only very young plants of rich deep purple color are suitable for long-time keeping. They have a smooth, elastic and shiny skin without damage. Pick up the heaviest eggplants of the same size.
[expert_review_poll id=”6736″ params=”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”]
Check if you can leave a dent with a finger. If yes, it means that the eggplant is overripe.
If you are growing eggplants on your own, plant late-ripening varieties for extended keeping.
Harvest before the frost, cutting the fruit with a knife along with the stem. It is not advisable to rinse the collected eggplants, it is enough to wipe them dry with a clean cloth.
Storing Fresh Eggplant
There are different ways to store eggplants:
- you can just pack the fruit in a packet and leave it in a heatless place in the apartment (they get spoiled faster in the refrigerator);
- a small amount of eggplants is well kept wrapped in paper and neatly stacked in one layer in boxes;
- you may store eggplants in deep boxes covered with ash at a temperature of about +7 degrees;
- it is possible to leave the eggplants on the garden beds for a while if you lay the plants together with the fruitlets in heaps and cover with straw;
- store eggplant in a dark unheated room. Crisp aubergines are spread on a straw mat for fourteen days, then the they without damages are wrapped in paper and laid on a layer of straw up to 20 cm high and cover with a quilted cloth.
Do You Fridge-Chill Eggplant?
Eggplant is a foodstuff that has a special taste and absolutely no odor. But at the same time, it heavily absorbs the smells of the surrounding products. And if the freezing process is improper, it can completely lose its taste.
So should we refrigerate eggplant?
Definitely yes. Just imagine what a delicacy you will be able to enjoy in winter.
[expert_review_poll id=”6737″ params=”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”]
But before freezing, the vegetables must be well prepared. There are four options for freezing crisp eggplants.
They can be:
- soaked
- blanched
- fried
- baked
Eggplant Shelf Life
How long does eggplant last?
Roughly the time periods are as follows:
- frozen eggplants are kept for several months;
- at 2 points, the eggplants are kept for an average of one month;
- at points of 10 and above, the eggplants can remain crisp for several noons (maximum 5-6 days);
- at the amount up to 7 points, the eggplants retain freshness and juiciness for several dozens of days, but it is recommended to cover them with ashes, sand, or wood sawdust.
Optimal Storage Conditions for Eggplants
You will keep raw aubergines longer if you store them in the cold pantry:
- a dark spot without light access;
- the surroundings should not exceed +2 – + 4 points;
- recommended humidity is 75-90%.
Eggplant Freezing Tips
Whatever way you freeze raw aubergine, remember that in any case, you should start by soaking the veggies in saltwater. If you do not do it, their flesh will become too elastic. Besides, in this way you will remove the bitterness of the fruit;
Before you send the eggplants in the freezer, they must be wrapped with a food film or packet. When wrapping, make sure there is no air inside, otherwise, it can lead to oxidation;
Lay the eggplants on paper towels before packing. This is done to get the extra oil out and let the eggplants dry out after soaking;
Frozen fruits should be stored for a maximum of 6 months.
How to Keep Chopped Aubergine?
If you want to freeze the fruits in chopped pieces, you need to bake them. The recipe is very simple.
- Choose medium-sized eggplants. Wash them well and slice them. It is most convenient to do it into circles or cubes;
- Before baking, veggies should be kept in salt to remove the bitter taste. To do this, lay the sliced eggplants in a deep bowl and pour them with salt. Leave them for an hour or two, then rinse them under running water and squeeze well;
- Spread some baking paper on the baking dish and carefully grease it with vegetable oil;
- Carefully spread the fruit and send it to bake. They should bake at a setting of no more than 180 degrees for about 40-50 minutes;
- Transfer the baked vegs to paper towels and give them time to chill down;
- After it, distribute them in packages and remove them in the freezer.
How to Dry Eggplant?
You can dehydrate the eggplants to save them until the next harvest. To do this, use the same method as when drying mushrooms:
- The eggplants are washed, the stalks are chopped off;
- The fruits are divided into slices 0.5 cm thick;
- Attach the slices on a string of string;
- Chopped eggplants are placed in a moistless, well-ventilated area, such as in the attic, or outside in the shade. They should not be exposed to daylight. Drying lasts 2-3 weeks. After it, store eggplant in a linen bag or in a sealed jar. Store in a chilled moistless spot.
- To speed up the process, the eggplants can be dried in a rotisserie or an electric dryer. It will take 5-6 hours for thin slices to dehydrate at a temperature of 50-60 ° t.
All of these crisp storing aubergine options do not guarantee that the fruits will not spoil and retain their elasticity until next season.
Remember, that eggplants are the least suitable vegetables for extended keeping. Well, you may try to dehydrate the eggplants for the winter or bake a little in the oven and freeze (raw eggplants do not taste good after freezing).
In this form, the fruits can be used for cooking at any time of the season and the taste will be as if the eggplants were just picked in the garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eggplant is healthy veg that can be used for cooking many delicious dishes. However, sometimes it suddenly gets rotten! How to avoid spoiling the vegetable and keep it last longer? Read our answers below.
Can You Store Eggplant In the Fridge?
Yes, eggplants can be stored in the fridge. Actually, this is a tricky vegetable to store because, when being kept outside the fridge, it can last for two days only. So, if don’t plan to use it within the two days after you bought it, store it in the drawer section being wrapped in a paper towel and put into the perforated plastic bag. Like that, your eggplant will survive from seven days and up to two weeks.
Can You Store Eggplant In the Freezer?
If you have many eggplants or simply want to use them much later, you can keep them in the freezer. To do that, blanch or steam the vegs, and you will be able to keep them for up to half a year!
Can You Keep Chopped Aubergine?
What if you have some cut eggplant left and wonder whether it’s possible to keep it? Toss its slices into a glass container and add some lemon juice to cover the slices. Make sure they are not floating in it, though! Two tablespoons per one middle-size eggplant will be enough.
Close the container with the lid tightly and shake it accurately. It will help to keep the vegetable for two or three days.
Can I Store Fresh Eggplant In the Fridge?
Yes, you can. For that, wrap the vegetable with a piece of paper or a paper towel and put it into the perforated plastic bag. Any reusable container will do well, too. Avoid keeping it uncovered together with apples and some other fruit is it will turn bad faster.
Store your eggplants like that in a crisper section, and they will last for up to 14 days.
Where Should You Store Eggplant?
Even though your fridge is a convenient spot for storage, it’s not the best option for eggplants though. Surprisingly, eggplants are stored better at room temperature (not lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit) in a cool place. Make sure they are away from sunlight and don’t keep them in a plastic bag as it will faster their ruination. Also, keep them away from apples, bananas, tomatoes, and melons because those vegetables make eggplants get rotten faster.
How to Store Eggplant for Future Use?
If you want to make your eggplants last as long as possible, better freeze them. Take your eggplants, peel them and slice. Boil some water with lemon juice (half a cup of juice per each gallon of water) and cook eggplants in it for 5 minutes. Take them out of boiling water and immerse for 5 minutes into cold water instead, too.
Drain eggplants and pack them into a vacuum bag or a zipped bag removing the air from it first. Now you can toss them to the freezer.
How to Store Eggplant After Picking?
To keep eggplant crisp, store it in a cool place away from the sum shine at room temperature. Also, make sure there are no apples, bananas or melons nearby as they will make eggplants turn bad faster.
How to Stop Eggplants From Getting Brown
This is a common tragedy for any kitchen: you open the fridge, take out a glossy aubergine, cut it, and…oh, no! It’s all brown inside! Or another scenario: you have cut the veg before and tossed the leftovers to refrigerate, but they became dark one day.
Why does it happen? Are they still safe to eat? Why do eggplants produce that brownness at all? All these questions start quickly roaming in our heads. Of course, nobody wants their food to spoil too fast, that is why we can give you a piece of good advice on how to learn to keep the aubergines crisp longer.
First of all, you need to remember that the brown shade the veggies produce is not a sign of the food spoilage. If the veg is kept already chopped, it only shows that its flesh was in contact with the air too much. Maybe, the bags you keep it in are not sealed properly. Or, perhaps, the skin is damaged.
Anyway, if the brownness looks like small pots around the seeds, there is nothing to worry about. But if the whole flesh is dark, our advice is to discard the veg since it’s not about badly sealed bags or something – the aubergine is rotten.
So how do we protect our food from that sad destiny? Choose one of the following recipes.
- Before cutting the veg, prepare a bowl of water and mix in a spoonful of milk. Once you cut the aubergine, immerse the pieces into that blend, and they won’t produce black!
- If you have no milk right now in the kitchen, go for a lemon. Add a dash of this citrus into the water, and submerge the freshly cut plant into this liquid. The contact with acidic water will protect the aubergine from turning dark.
These recipes are super simple and what is even better, they work!
How to Eat Eggplant. Simplest Recipes to Try
Everyone likes to eat delicious food but since most of the recipes are quite time-consuming, we just feel lazy to even start. Preparing aubergines is not an exception as these veggies need time unlike broccoli or zucchini. Fortunately, we collected several quickly recipes of various dishes that will add more healthy food to your tables!
1. Eggplant tart
It’s not sweet but still it is incredibly tasty! This is a perfect food for a weekend lunch, garden party, and lots of other family occasions. Be creative and add some broccoli to make it look more colorful.
2. Roasted eggplant
Not simply roasted but marinated in miso and generously sprinkled with sesame seeds. One of the easiest recipes we ever seen
3. Eggplant&chicken pizza
Who likes pizza? Everyone does! This one, with juicy aubergine, poultry, and broccoli is a perfect food for a quick snack.
4. Mint yogurt aubergine
Sliced aubergine fried to the crispy crust with the skin, paired with refreshing minty dip will tickle your tongue! Probably, one of the most unusual recipes.
Note: for the yogurt dip, buy mint jelly and mix it in a plain unsweetened yogurt.
5. Greek burgers
For this recipe, you can either buy burger cutlets or make them yourself – it doesn’t matter. Toasted buns with leafy salad, grilled aubergine and meat – a great option for barbeque.
6. Eggplant Pasta salad
Boil pasta, add cooked vegetables (broccoli, carrots, peas – whatever you want), mix in roasted aubergine, and give it a final touch with olive oil and herbs.
These are not all the recipes that exist, of course. But you can create your own and experiment! Buy different ingredients, mix various spices and components – who knows, maybe you’ll create a masterpiece?
I’m going to make a stew with eggplants but I never used these veggies before. Can anyone tell me how to pick an eggplant at the grocery store? What to pay attention to?
To pick up the ripest ones, search for the veggies that have smooth and shiny skin that is colored evenly. Its color must be deep-purple. You can make a test and slightly press the eggplant. If there will be an imprint left on the veggie then it’s fresh and ripe to the full. Also, the veggies must be heavy and small because smaller eggplants are usually sweeter and have fewer seeds.
Hello! I’ve recently made ratatouille and now I have a whole small plate of sliced eggplants left. Does anyone know how to store sliced eggplant in the fridge? Would be sad to throw them away or let them spoil.
Hi! You probably heard that this sort of vegetable is not recommended to keep cut but what I can tell you is that you toss the leftovers into a glass tank and drizzle the slices with some lemon juice. It must cover the pieces but don’t let them float in it! Two big spoons of juice per one vegetable will be enough I suppose. Close the lid tightly and shake the container. Done! It will extend the lifespan of the vegetable for a bit longer.
How to store eggplant from the garden? They say these tend to spoil faster than those we buy in a store. What shall I do?
We would recommend you placing the veggies in some cool and dry spot like pantry where direct sunlight won’t get to them. This is the optimal way to keep eggplants since they don’t like refrigeration that much and spoil faster when chilled.
How to store cooked eggplant? A friend of mine brought some yesterday but I still have pretty much left after dinner. Now it’s in the fridge but maybe there’s a better way to keep it?
Hey! You actually did right when placed it into the fridge. This is the best place for the cooked eggplant in fact only make sure you keep it in a resealable packet or an airtight tank.
How to store cut eggplant? Shall I refrigerate it or freeze? Thanks a lot!
Hello. This vegetable when cut behaves like apples turning dark with time because of the impact or air. To protect it from spoiling and slow down the process, sprinkle the pieces with some lemon juice, and keep refrigerated.
Hey everyone! I heard that eggplants spoil fast so I’m about to freeze mine. Can someone advise me on how to store eggplant in the freezer? Any special tips or hints maybe? Thank you guys so much in advance!
Hello!
Of course, you can preserve it this way but note that the vegetable will be possible to use only for cooking afterward (However, I don’t think you intended to eat it raw!).
Before you toss the veggie to the freezing camera, clean it, slice, and blanch.
It’s also fine to preserve baked eggplants as far as I know.
What can I do with overripe eggplant? I don’t think it’s rotten, it smells ok and there is no mold, but it is too soft and darkened.
If it’s not too overripe, you can still cook it. But it the peak point is passed, then the vegetable is most likely too bitter and you won’t be able to eat it.
Try to take a bite and see if it’s bitter or not. If not, then fry, bake, or grill it (my tip: use a lot of spicy sauce, it will help to avoid that bitterness).
Is eggplant still good when Brown inside? It doesn’t look much trustworthy. Can I cook it, how do you think?
First of all, what kind of brownness do you mean? If it is colored around the seeds only, then it’s ok to eat. But if the flesh turned dark brown, then it’s the sign of spoilage, discard that veggie.
I’d like to preserve some eggplants that are already chopped. Can you cut eggplant in advance?
I guess you can do that, only make sure that it is wrapped tightly so that no air could reach it.
How do you keep eggplant fresh longer? Is there any magical trick on how to make this purple thing stay good for more than 2-3 days?
I can suggest you wrap it in a paper towel and place in a perforated plastic bag or reusable tank. Keep it in a crisper drawer, and the vegetable will be fine for a week.
Can I freeze fried eggplant? I have some fried veggie mix left and I’d not like to discard it.
Yes, it’s possible. You’ll have to freeze it on a baking sheet first, and then, after it hardens, transfer it to the frost-safe tank and leave in a freezer.
I often hear that eggplants are not good for your health. Why is eggplant bad for you? I always thought it is healthy!
Hi! I guess the reason is alkaloids that these vegetables contain. These alkaloids can cause stomach and digestion issues so, if your gut is sensitive, you’d better avoid that veggie.
Can you let eggplant sweat overnight? Or it will spoil? Does anyone know?
No, that’s too much. usually it needs about 30 to 60 minutes, but definitely no more than one hour!
Hi! Please tell me someone is eggplant still good when Brown inside?
If you mean that it’s brownigh around the seeds, then it’s fine, but if all the insides are more brown than white, then the veg is bad.
Can I cut up eggplant ahead of time? I’d not like to fuss slicing it on the day of cooking since I’ll have plenty of other things to do.
I’d not recommend you that. It can get brown, especially if you are planning to cut it way before the cooking day.
Hello! Please give me a hand. Can you save half an eggplant and how? Thanks!
Yeah, you can do that. Wrap that half in a plastic cling film and refrigerate. But don’t keep it chilled for more than 2 days, otherwise, it will start spoiling.
How do you store eggplant after cutting? Is there any simple way?
I can suggest you toss the cut/sliced eggplant to the plastic bag and seal it tightly with no air inside, and the refrigerate.
Why is eggplant Brown? Is something wrong with it?
I assume it’s spoiled if all the flesh is brown. If it’s brown only around the seeds, it’s ok.
Can I freeze raw eggplant? How long will it last?
Yes, you can. Simply clean it, peel, slice, and blanch prior to freezing. It can stay good for half a year or so.
I’m very concerned about the information that eggplants can be harmful. Why is eggplant bad for you?
The vegs themselves are harmless, but their leaves and tubers are toxic and can cause throat burns, nausea, and vomiting.
Why is eggplant rubbery? Did anyone have that issue, too?
I used to have it before, and it was about wrong cooking. I used to not cook them through well enough. Try to add more water to make them softer.
Can you eat eggplant skin? I heard it’s toxic, is that true?
Yes, eggplant skin is edible so don’t be afraid to eat it. It’s leaves and tubers that are toxic.
Hey everyone! Need help from experienced cooks! Do you keep eggplant in the refrigerator wrapped or not?
Definitely wrapped. In a cling film preferably. Otherwise it’ll get oxidized and spoil.
How do you get glue off your hands? I just set a blot of superglue on my palm – what shall I do?!
Ok, try to soak it in warm soapy water. The glue is fresh so it can work. If not, use nail polish remover or acetone, or apply butter/oil and rub with pumice stone.
But I’d recommend you buy a glue remover – that one works perfectly!
Can I super glue a cut? I heard it’s possible but never tried. Did you try it? Did it work?
I never did it either but I know it can be an option. However, glue can be applied only on small, clean and not deep cuts that are not infectious. Beside, it’s a risky method since scars can be left or the cut will get infected.
Hi! I’m looking for a homemade remedy for glue blots. Can vinegar remove super glue? Does anyone know?
Yes, it can. In fact, acetum is a natural super glue remover, and it can be used not only on the skin. However, I’d not recommend using it on stone and wooden surfaces (and perhaps, rubber won’t stand it, too) since its acidity can ruin the material.
Is Super Glue dangerous on skin? How can it harm it if not cleaned properly?
It’s not dangerous itself and they say glue can come off the skin itself after several days. The only damage that can be caused is if we rub the glued skin vigorously since it can lead to irritation and glue getting deeper.
Does anyone know: is Gorilla Glue toxic on skin?
I’m not sure of its toxicity but it is definitely dangerous. It is even mentioned on the bottle if I’m not mistaken. It says that the glue is harmful when inhaled, ingested, when it gets into our eyes or onto the skin.
How do you remove dried super glue? I mean from the skin, but other surfaces will also be good to learn about!
As for the skin, try homemade remedies like acetone, acetum, or warm soapy water for the fresh blots. Special glue remover is also an option.
As for the household surfaces…for the fabrics, floors, and counters use acetone, only be careful since it can discolor if it is pure.
Will Gorilla Glue eventually come off skin? I wonder just in case I happen to have to remedies at home.
It will. If you wait for a week or so, the glued skin will go away since old skin cells are replaced by the new ones every 6-7 days.
Hello everyone! I need some help with super glue. How long does super glue stay on your skin? If I failed cleaning it off, how soon it will come off itself?
Hey! I guess you need to wait for 7-10 days. Last time I set that sticky blot, it took me a bit more than a week just because the spill was quite massive.
Does Coke remove super glue? I tried it for the household cleaning and it worked. Will it manage glue, too?
I never used it but I heard some people used it for deleting the gluey blots. Why not try? Coke won’t hurt you anyway!
Will rubbing alcohol remove Gorilla Glue?
They say it will though I never tried it. If I recall it right, you’ll need to soak the glued area with soapy water, and then rub with alcohol.
How to store eggplant after picking? I always end up with it turning brown and soft, simply speaking – spoiled. Maybe, I should not keep it in the fridge?
I don’t think the problem is about the fridge itself. I’d rather say you keep it there in a wrong way somehow.
The eggplant must be refrigerated indeed if you’re not going to eat it in two days, but in the fridge, it must be kept in a crisper drawer wrapped in paper towel and placed in a perforated plastic packet or reusable container. I’m pretty sure you just missed one of those steps which led to spoilage.
I was cooking today and now I have way too many cut eggplants left. They’re still fresh so I’d like to keep them, but I have no idea how to store sliced eggplant. Could someone help me please?
I always wrap it in plastic cling film and place it into the crisper drawer because it needs the least cold place in the fridge to be kept properly. Try to do the same.
How to store fresh Japanese eggplant?! I recently received several from a friend who’s obsessed with Asian cuisine, but I have no clue of what to do with them! Please, help!
I guess these are to be stored the very same way as the common eggplants would. Just keep them refrigerated in a poked plastic bag away from apples, avocados, or bananas (those produce ethylene which makes eggplants degrade faster).
Why does my eggplant turn brown too fast each time I buy it? I never manage to make it last even for a week! What’s the problem? I keep it refrigerated in a breathable container, but it still spoils.
Hi! I do suspect you have some fruits or veggies that speed up the spoilage process! Check out for bananas, apples, avocados around. Those can make eggplants degrade way quicker.
I’ve got a slightly unusual question perhaps. I need to know what storage methods will work to ripe eggplant faster. Any ideas?
Hmm, I’d recommend you place your eggplants close to bananas, apples, or avocados since they produce ethylene gas which speeds up the ripening process in eggplants. Or, as an option, you could leave eggplants on the counter to ripen, but then there’s a risk of making them spoil instead. So better stick to avocados and bananas!
Does it make sense to keep the peeled eggplant leftovers? It was peeled today and is still looking good. Shall I try to save it?
Well, I only know that the cut vegetable must be submerged into the water mixed with one spoonful of milk or a dash of lemon to prevent oxidation. Perhaps, this will work for the peeled veggies as well.
How long will cooked eggplant last if refrigerated? Are there any specific recommendations regarding its storage?
Judging from my own experience, it will remain edible for around a week, five days approximately to be precise.
As for the way of storage, I’d not say you need something special. Just don’t refrigerate the dish while it’s still hot/warm, and make sure the foodstuff is properly sealed. Eggplants can degrade fast since they’re susceptible to ethylene gas, so keep the apples and bananas away from cooked eggplants.