Vegetables and Fruits - Page 3 of 3

You might have wondered what the best answer is if you have been asked for clues on how to pick an eggplant in harvest time. The common thread that runs through responses on this subject matter is an array of ideas about shape, size, type of seeds, the indents and whether it is male or female breed.Having worked in culinary for more than a decade, I realize that those who don’t have the experience I do may have conflict in finding the right answer.Are Eggplants Distinguished by Gender?Many people might be oblivious to the fact that plants have gender recognition traits and for some plant species, they are hermaphrodites while others are identifiable as single sex. While a lot of these ideas might be founded on a proven body of knowledge, the distinction between male and female eggplants might be nonexistent and should be taken as some form of rural legends.&amp;lt;img alt="" src="https://tasteinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-to-pick-eggplant-1.jpg" style="width: 550px"&amp;gt;Via pinterest.comThe basis for the inclination as to plant gender is based on the dash-like mark which can be taken as to the left of the discourse while the circular mark is to the right. As evident as the markings are, they are not going to be of help if you fail to follow the other distinctions on this outline. Some Reasonable IdeasMy take on getting into eggplant gardening is that you should be determined enough to drive a few miles to locate a garden around you so you can see how the landscape looks like and be abreast of what it takes to grow this delicious vegetable.There is no doubt that you can do some backyard gardening if you have space for it. With a little patience and realism, your garden can be ready in a few weeks. Beyond the edible aspect, gardening with eggplants makes your home look much like a work of art because of the color array of the glossy and sensually surreal appearance.The Harvest Time TipsWhen harvest season comes for the eggplant, the best bet is to make sure they are ripe before picking. The fruits become more bitter as they age. Eggplants should be between 6 and 8 inches in lengthThe taut skin, sheen and classic look are unmistakableIt has to be heavy in proportion to its size when you liftThe skin has to spring back at you when you pressAny sign of wrinkling and blemish should make you ditch an eggplantUse gloves when picking as they can be pricklyHarvest with the calyx attached to the fruitDo not break the stems rather use a pruning knifeBasic FactsOneIf you find an eggplant that is entirely solid or spongy, it is better for you to leave it and look for one with a taut skin and I assure you this will be your best bet.TwoLook for the stem and be sure that it is in position on one end of the eggplant properly. The bright, smooth and shiny skin is the best proof of a ripe eggplant, but you should avoid any soggy one.ThreeAs to the color, it can be white, purple, green or striped, but any sign of dullness shows that it has been out of the farm for far too long.FourThe sense of touch is also imperative in choosing the best time for picking.When you feel the skin, it ought to spring back as this is evidence that it is still fresh. However, if you find it hard to press, it merely shows that it is unripe and overly green. When you press, and it stays in, it indicates that it has gone soggy and unfit.FiveAnother way to check is to knock on it, and if the sound appears hollow, you can be sure that it has gone bad and it will be evidently dry inside.SixThe wisdom in picking an eggplant is by the appearance of the dimple at the blossom end. You’ll need to check and see if the shape of the dimple is round or just oval. When it is round, it tends to be high in seeds and weaken edible substance. Because of this, the perfect picking time is when you see an oval shape.Stripping the BitternessWhen eggplants are brought home from the garden or the stores, it is advisable not to have them refrigerated, as this will eliminate their freshness and spur the bitter taste. You could also be left with a soft skin that will make them soggy.It’s important that you use the store-bought eggplant within 72 hours of purchasing.If you plan on waiting three days to use, you’ll want to leave them in a cool spot for best preservation.Eggplants can also be wrapped in plastic bags or some form of paper towel after dampening to keep them a bit moistened. If the weather becomes too hot, use them within 24 hours after putting them in the fridge.&amp;lt;img alt="" src="https://tasteinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Japanese-Eggplant-2.jpg" style="width: 560px"&amp;gt;Via foodrepublik.comCooking TipsYou will be able to reduce your oil use when you drain and salt the eggplant before sautéing.When cooking, you will extinguish more moisture when you press down the salted eggplant.Keep the color of your eggplant by using stainless steel for cutting as carbon steel will end up discoloring them.ConclusionThe eggplant is a delicious add-on to meals that many people love and how to pick an eggplant will make or break the delicacy that you’re creating. If the eggplant is not ripe enough or too young, your dish may taste more bitter than you wish.While the facts above on choosing an eggplant may be overwhelming to the new culinary artist, we hope that you find them resourceful.If you have learned any vital tips about picking the eggplant on this page, I encourage you to share this article on your social media networks, so that your loved ones and friends can benefit. If you have suggestions and questions, don’t hesitate to use the comment section on this page, as we’d be glad to hear from you.

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Category: Vegetables and Fruits