Cooking with Eggplant - Cooking Light

Photo: Randy Mayor

Roasted Eggplants with Herbs

A cousin to tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes, the eggplant gets its name from the first varieties of its kind, which were white, round, and egg-size. Now they also come in green and deep purple and are typically much larger. Although available year-round, they are most abundant from July to October. Look for firm eggplants that feel heavy for their size and have smooth, shiny skins and bright green stems. Try some of the recipes in this gallery for maximizing tastiness while cooking with eggplant.

Our Roasted Eggplants with Herbs recipe is a classic example of the delectable qualities of this veggie. This simple preparation yields irresistible results. Use very firm, small eggplants; if young and fresh enough, they won't be bitter.

View Recipe: Roasted Eggplants with Herbs

Photo: Kana Okada

Eggplant and Goat Cheese Sandwiches

Transform sandwich night with this hearty veggie-laden stacker. You can peel the eggplant, but the sandwiches are prettier with the deep purple skin intact.

View Recipe: Eggplant and Goat Cheese Sandwiches

Photo: Randy Mayor

Eggplant Parmesan

This perfect version of a classic Italian meatless dinner, Parmigiana, will quickly become a family favorite. Add a glass of vino for a Sicilian-style date night or a scoop of gelato for a kid-friendly Italian night.

View Recipe: Eggplant Parmesan

Photo: Charles Masters

Turkey Burgers with Roasted Eggplant

Leftover eggplant puree from this recipe is perfect as a dip for toasted pita wedges. Marmite is a concentrated yeast paste that helps give this burger meaty flavor—find it in supermarket baking aisles and health food stores. Use sesame-poppy seed buns.

View Recipe: Turkey Burgers with Roasted Eggplant

Photo: John Autry

Eggplant Crostini

This open-face veggie sandwich is hearty on crusty bread and cool from the Greek yogurt. Experiment with your own mix of in-season vegetables.

View Recipe: Eggplant Crostini

Photo: John Autry

Falafel-Stuffed Eggplant with Tahini Sauce and Tomato Relish

Traditional falafel is made from seasoned, mashed chickpeas that are shaped into patties and deep-fried. Here we use the same components to make a tasty filling for eggplants, baked and topped with a deliciously nutty sauce.

View Recipe: Falafel-Stuffed Eggplant with Tahini Sauce and Tomato Relish

Photo: Gentl & Hyers

Eggplant, Zucchini, and Tomato Tian

Tian, a French word used throughout Provence, refers to both a shallow cooking vessel and the food cooked in it. This veggie and breadcrumb casserole is perfect for a weeknight dinner and great reheated the next day too!

View Recipe: Eggplant, Zucchini, and Tomato Tian

Photo: Randy Mayor

Barley Risotto with Eggplant and Tomatoes

Our favorite purple vegetable shines in this hearty barley dish. Pine nuts, fresh basil, and goat cheese add a unique, fresh flavor.

View Recipe: Barley Risotto with Eggplant and Tomatoes

Photo: Randy Mayor

Penne with Sausage, Eggplant, and Feta

Meaty breakfast sausage, earthy eggplant, and zesty feta complement each other in this hearty pasta.

View Recipe: Penne with Sausage, Eggplant, and Feta

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Charred Vegetable Salad

Fire up the grill – this salad is a perfect side for grilled steak, chicken, or shrimp. Although you can successfully prepare this colorful end-of-summer salad on a gas grill, charcoal will imbue the vegetables with extra flavor.

View Recipe: Charred Vegetable Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor

Eggplant, Tomato, and Smoked Mozzarella Tart

Salting the eggplant draws out some of the bitter flavor and moisture. Less moisture in turn minimizes the amount of oil the eggplant will absorb. This dish has a crispy crackerlike crust, a nice contrast to the tender eggplant.

View Recipe: Eggplant, Tomato, and Smoked Mozzarella Tart

Photo: Randy Mayor

Zucchini Eggplant Lasagna

Summer means a bounty of zucchini from farmers’ markets. This lasagna makes use of fresh summer produce in a filling meatless entrée.

View Recipe: Zucchini Eggplant Lasagna

Photo: Randy Mayor

Roasted Eggplant Salsa

The perfect pairing to a bowl of sticky rice, this savory, garlicky paste gets toasty flavor from roasted eggplant and blackened garlic and peppers. In more traditional versions, you grill ingredients over charcoal for deeper flavor.

View Recipe: Roasted Eggplant Salsa

Photo: John Autry

Vegetarian Moussaka

In this meatless version of the classic Greek dish, bulgur wheat stands in for ground meat in a spiced tomato filling surrounded by eggplant layers and topped with a béchamel sauce. The eggplant and bulgur pack this dish with fiber. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

View Recipe: Vegetarian Moussaka

Photo: John Autry

Eggplant Bolognese

Hearty sirloin, pasta, and eggplant blend together for perfection in this filling, 6-serving dish.

View Recipe: Eggplant Bolognese

Photo: John Autry

Eggplant Involtini

Chow down on the flavors of Italy with this vegetarian entrée of Eggplant Involtini.

View Recipe: Eggplant Involtini

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Baba Ghanoush

Herby, creamy, and zesty, this classic dip is perfect for potlucks, parties, or just to snack on at the house.

View Recipe: Baba Ghanoush

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Eggplant with Capers and Red Peppers

Try this savory veggie mixture over rice, mixed in with quinoa, or as a topping over grilled salmon or chicken.

View Recipe: Eggplantwith Capers and Red Peppers

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Ratatouille Pizza with Chicken

The addition of chicken to a quick ratatouille makes a great-tasting and satisfying pizza when put on a crust. Serve with a green salad for a light weekday meal.

View Recipe: Ratatouille Pizza with Chicken

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Seafood Stuffed Eggplant

You can assemble and refrigerate the eggplant halves up to a day in advance, then bake just before serving. If the stuffed eggplants are cold, you may need to cook them an extra five minutes.

View Recipe: Seafood Stuffed Eggplant

Photo: Johnny Miller

Grilled Eggplant Banh Mi Sandwich

Sandwich night doesn't have to be boring anymore. Mix things up with this veggie-filled, Vietnamese-inspired creation.

View Recipe: Grilled Eggplant Banh Mi Sandwich

Photo: Johnny Miller

Grilled Eggplant with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

If you're working on a charcoal grill set up for indirect heat, mound the coals to one side of the grill.

View Recipe: Grilled Eggplant with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce