Can You Freeze Eggplant?

Can You Freeze Eggplant?

Quick Answer : Can You Freeze Eggplant?

Yes. You can freeze eggplant. Eggplant, also known as brinjal in specific parts of the world, is a delicious vegetable when cooked. While there are different ways of cooking eggplant in various recipes, you can freeze the eggplant in multiple ways. Each method is easy, and you can choose the preferred method depending on how you cook the eggplant. Let us now see how to freeze the eggplant.

How Do You Freeze Eggplant?

You can eat eggplant as a vegetable and even as fillings, sauces, and dips. Depending on how you plan to consume them, the freezing methods vary. Let us discuss all the methods here.

Freezing Eggplant After Blanching

Blanching the eggplants before freezing is ideal if you make eggplant parmesan or have it baked and fried. Blanching helps preserve the nutrients that can get lost during freezing.

  1. Take water in a pot and add half a cup of lemon juice. Boil the water on high heat.
  2. Wash the eggplants properly and cut off the stems. You can peel the eggplant depending on the recipe.
  3. Slice the eggplant into ¼-inch round portions. The eggplant oxidizes quickly. Hence, we advise dunking the sliced eggplants in water.
  4. Once the water boils, add the eggplant slices into the pot and let them remain for four minutes. The blanching process cooks the eggplants partially and eliminates bacteria that might be present in the plant. In addition, it arrests the enzyme action enabling the eggplant to hold well during freezing.
  5. Meanwhile, prepare an ice water bowl. Remove the blanched eggplant slices from the boiling water and drop them immediately into the ice water bowl to cool them.
  6. Once cooled, remove the slices, and pat them dry using a paper towel.
  7. Place the slices on a cookie sheet lined with greaseproof or parchment paper. Ensure that the veggies do not touch each other. Alternatively, you can bread the slices first with Italian breadcrumbs.
  8. Place the cookie sheet inside the freezer, allowing the slices to solidify. Once frozen, remove the eggplant slices and transfer them to a freezer bag. You can place wax paper between pieces to prevent them from freezing together.
  9. Add the date label and seal the bags after removing excess air. Push the bags into the freezer and freeze the eggplant.

Freezing The Roasted And Pureed Eggplant

Generally, the larger eggplants are used for making sauces, dips, and fillings. Therefore, pureeing them is essential before freezing the eggplants.

  1. You can roast the eggplants directly on the stovetop. Alternatively, cut the eggplants in half and roast them in the oven for 45 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The inside portions should become soft and creamy.
  2. Cool the roasted eggplants to room temperature and scoop the insides. Place the scoops inside a food processor and pulse until it becomes a smooth puree.
  3. Pour the puree into freezer-safe pint jars and label them. Seal the jars and place them inside the freezer, allowing the puree to freeze.

Freezing The Cubed And Roasted Eggplant

Eggplants are delicious when consumed as side dishes. You can mix the eggplant with other vegetables or even prepare them separately. Alternatively, you can add eggplant to soups and stews.

  1. Cut the stems and cube the eggplant. Some people recommend peeling the eggplant, but you can roast it unpeeled.
  2. Place the eggplant cubes on a cookie sheet and add a spoonful of olive oil. Sprinkle minced garlic and salt to add flavor.
  3. Roast the cubes in the oven for 45 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. The eggplants develop creamy interiors.
  4. Cool the roasted eggplant and flash-freeze them on cookie sheets. This process prevents the plants from sticking together.
  5. Once frozen, transfer the eggplant cubes to a freezer bag. Seal the bags after squeezing out excess air. Then, place the bags inside the freezer and let the eggplant cubes freeze.

Freezing Eggplant Dishes

You can cook the eggplant with various recipes and freeze the dishes for later consumption. The recipes where the eggplant does not need to remain firm are the best for freezing.

Cook the dishes and allow them to cool to room temperature. Apportion the dishes into consumable portions and transfer the individual pieces to freezer-safe ziplock bags. Expel air and seal the bags well. Keep them inside the freezer.

How Long Can Eggplant Remain Frozen Without Compromising Its Texture And Taste?

Frozen eggplants can remain ideal for consumption for eight months, provided you freeze them correctly.

How Do You Defrost Frozen Eggplant?

You need not defrost the eggplant if you plan to use them in soups and stir-fries. Instead, transfer the pureed frozen eggplant directly from the freezer to the recipe. The heat generated during cooking can defrost the eggplant.

Otherwise, the best way to defrost the frozen eggplant is to place them in the refrigerator overnight. Then, the eggplant defrosts and is ready for consumption the following morning.

Can You Refreeze Eggplant?

We do not recommend repeated freezing of the eggplant because it can damage its texture indefinitely.

Can You Freeze Eggplant Parmesan?

Yes. You can freeze the eggplant parmesan. Assemble the recipe but do not bake it. Instead, wrap the eggplant parmesan tightly with aluminum foil and freeze for three months.

Can You Freeze Eggplant Slices?

Yes. It is possible to freeze eggplant slices, as discussed here.

Can You Freeze Eggplant Lasagna?

You can freeze eggplant lasagna. Wrap the individual lasagna slices with plastic wrap and place them in an airtight freezer-safe ziplock bag. You can freeze the eggplant lasagna in the freezer to last for nine months.

Can You Freeze Eggplant Rollatini?

It is possible to prepare and freeze the eggplant rollatini before baking it. Alternatively, you can freeze it after baking. Please ensure that the dish cools down.

Can You Freeze Eggplant Curry?

You can freeze eggplant curry in freezer-safe ziplock bags inside the freezer.

Can You Freeze Eggplant Parmesan After Baking?

You can freeze eggplant parmesan after baking. But, freezing the baked eggplant parmesan can affect its quality.

Can You Freeze Eggplant Caponata?

Yes. Eggplant caponata freezes well. Transfer the eggplant caponata to an airtight container and freeze for three months.

Can You Freeze Eggplant Dip?

You can freeze eggplant dip, but the consistency can change during the freezing process. However, the taste and flavor remain the same.

Can You Freeze Eggplant Whole?

You can freeze the eggplant whole and preserve it for later consumption.

Final Thoughts

Eggplant is delicious when cooked well. You can use them in various recipes. So, if you have prepared eggplant in large quantities, you can freeze them and have it later.

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