Look for a bright green stem and cap. Wrap the eggplant, unwashed and in plastic, to reduce its exposure to air, and store it in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator where the temperature is somewhat warmer than the 40 degrees Fahrenheit temperature of the rest of the fridge. Temps that are too warm or too cold can damage the eggplant.
While I was writing we ran into the inquiry “How long will an eggplant keep in the fridge?”.
Properly stored, cooked eggplant will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. To further extend the shelf life of cooked eggplant, freeze it; freeze in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. When should you not eat eggplant?
We should dig in! yes, you can store eggplants at room temperature and it might even be a better idea than storing them in the fridge. As long as your room is not above 77 F/25 C, the eggplants should be fine for at least three days . After all, these are plants that thrive on heat and they don’t like the cold too much.
How long does eggplant last?
Stored carefully, the eggplant will retain its quality for up to eight months . It will stay safe to eat indefinitely after that but will work only for blended dips, since the texture will suffer. Before freezing, wash and peel the eggplant. Then, cut it into 1/3-inch slices and plunge it into boiling water with a bit.
Some sources claimed fresh eggplant can be kept at room temperature for between three to five days. If you refrigerate it, you can keep it for somewhere from seven to ten days. You can also freeze it, and if you do it properly, it will keep its flavor as just as importantly, its texture, for as long as eight months .
You could be thinking “How do you know if eggplant is fresh?”
The fresher the eggplant is when you buy it , the longer it will last in the fridge and the better it will taste. Choose one that feels heavy in your hand, with smooth, glossy skin and no cracks or discolored spots. The eggplant may give a bit when you press it with your thumb, but a fresh one will spring back quickly.
All eggplants contain lots of healthy fiber , have no sodium or fat and are low in calories, but give some thought on how to cook the vegetable to retain its healthful qualities. The fresher the eggplant is when you buy it, the longer it will last in the fridge and the better it will taste.
How long can you freeze eggplant for?
If you can’t use an entire eggplant within its seven-day fresh period, tuck it in the freezer to cook later. Stored carefully, the eggplant will retain its quality for up to eight months . It will stay safe to eat indefinitely after that but will work only for blended dips, since the texture will suffer.
A frequent query we ran across in our research was “Can you freeze eggplant slices?”.
Some think that before freezing, wash and peel the eggplant. Then, cut it into 1/3-inch slices and plunge it into boiling water with a bit of lemon juice for 4 minutes. Quickly chill the slices in ice water, drain the eggplant and place it in freezer-grade plastic or foil .
How do you store eggplant long term?
Store eggplants in a cool and dark place, like a pantry or cellar. Temperatures between 50-55˚F are good. Properly stored eggplants keep fresh for about three to four days . Fridges are typically too cold to store eggplant, however, storing them in the crisper is better than leaving them at room temperature.
Store the blanched eggplant in a reusable container or jar in your freezer .
How do you keep eggplant from oxidizing?
Treat with water and milk to prevent oxidizing: Dunk half cut eggplant in a bowl of water and 1 tbsp of milk to avoid oxidizing which happens typically within 30 minutes of cutting open the fruit. Wrap the eggplant in plastic: After dunking the eggplant use paper towels to wipe the skin dry but don’t wipe the exposed flesh.