Aubergine
Now in season
Vegetables
Cool & dark
The aubergine is also known as 'egg plant', derived from the English word 'aubergine'. In fact, wild aubergines are the size and colour of a chicken egg. Aubergine is a fruit vegetable in the nightshade family, just like tomatoes and peppers. Usually, the pear-shaped fruit is dark purple. You also have other varieties such as a white and the 'graffiti' aubergine.
Also known as:
Preparation & storage
Storage
Do not store aubergines in the fridge, but in a cool place (15-17°C), e.g. in a pantry.
Ideally, store aubergines packed, then they will keep for around 5-7 days.
Do not store aubergines next to vegetables that spread ethylene, such as tomatoes. If you store these two next to each other, the aubergine will develop unsightly spots and the flavour will become more bitter.
Raw aubergines can be stored in the freezer at -18°C for 12 months. Just before freezing, blanch for 2 minutes (= brief heating). Store in a well-sealed plastic container.
Do you have any leftover cooked aubergines? Cooked aubergines can be kept in the fridge for 2 days or in the freezer for 3 months.
How can I tell if aubergines are no longer good? The aubergine is mouldy or has rotten spots. You can quickly recognise this decay by looking or smelling.
Preparation
Remove the crown and cut into slices or cubes. If you are going to stuff an aubergine, it is best to leave the crown on for firmness.
Cut the aubergine briefly before use, as it browns quickly.
Aubergines have a short cooking time, but you can't eat them raw. This is because aubergines contain 'solanine', a natural substance that can cause gastrointestinal problems. After only 2 minutes of heating, this substance is completely gone and the fruit is easily digestible. So after just 2 minutes of blanching (brief heating), you can enjoy this tasty vegetable without any worries!
Due to its neutral flavour, aubergine can be combined with many herbs and other flavours. These herbs and flavours are absorbed perfectly into the spongy flesh.
After cooking, the flesh thickens to a firm, almost meaty consistency. The vegetable is therefore used as a meat substitute in many dishes.
Storage
Raw
Cool place: 5-7 days
Frozen: 12 months
Cooked
Refrigerated: 2 days
Deep-freeze: 3 months
Preparation times
Cooking: 5 minutes
Stir-frying: 8 minutes
Microwave oven: 7 minutes
Grilling: 4 - 5 minutes
Braising: approx. 20 minutes
Steaming: approx. 8 minutes
Cleaning the aubergine
See preparing.
Information
Grow your own aubergines
How much does an aubergine weigh?
Cultivation and season
Tip
Aubergine flavour
Recipes with Aubergine
More recipes
Summer vegetables with parsley sauce
385gr vegetables p.p.
Aubergine in tomato sauce
450gr vegetables p.p.
Vegetable curry with lentils and roasted almonds
250gr vegetables p.p.
Nutritional values
These nutritional values apply to the unprocessed product. View all for the full set of values and preparation methods.
View all| Type | Per 100gr |
|---|---|
| Energy | 84 kj (20 kcal) |
| Fat total | 0 gr |
| of which saturated | 0 gr |
| of which unsaturated | 0 gr |
| Carbohydrates | 3 gr |
| of which sugars | 3 gr |
| Dietary fibre | 2 gr |
| Protein | 1 gr |
| Salt | 0.01 mg |
| Retinol act. equivalent | 6 mcg |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.04 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.05 mg |
| Nicotinic acid | 0.6 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.07 mg |
| Folate equivalents | 18 mcg |
| Vitamin C | 10 mg |
Availability
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