Eggplant Facts

Learn fun eggplant facts, how eggplant grows, what to look for when buying it, how to store it, and ways to cook it. This page also includes easy eggplant recipes, a simple cooking experiment, and a food science connection to help kids learn while they cook.

Fun Eggplant Facts

Eggplant grows in mid summer through fall.
Eggplants grow from seeds planted in the garden.
Eggplant can be baked, grilled, sauteed, or added to casseroles and pasta dishes.
It becomes soft and tender when cooked.
Eggplant is used in many recipes around the world, including dips, bakes, and vegetable dishes.

How Eggplant Grows, Buying Tips, and Storage

When Eggplant Is Available

Eggplant grows in mid summer through fall.

How Eggplant Grows

Eggplants grow from seeds planted in the garden. The fruit grows on the plant and is picked when it is firm and fully colored.

What to Look for When Buying Eggplant

The flesh should bounce back when pressed softly. Eggplants should feel heavy for their size and have a rich purple color with no blemishes or bruises.

Storage Tips

Store eggplant unwrapped in a cool place or in a plastic bag in your refrigerator, such as the crisper drawer.

Kid Tip: Eggplant has a mild flavor, so it works well with pasta sauce, herbs, cheese, and dips.

How to Cook Eggplant

Wash the eggplant and dry it well.
Peel it if you want a softer texture, or leave the skin on if preferred.
Cut it into slices, cubes, or sticks depending on the recipe.
Bake, grill, saute, or add it to casseroles, pasta dishes, or dips.

Cooking Tip: Try chopping peeled eggplant into squares, cooking it in a pan, and adding it to pasta dishes. You can also bake a whole eggplant and use the soft inside for dips.

Food Science: Why Eggplant Absorbs Oil

Why Does Eggplant Absorb Oil?

Eggplant has a sponge-like texture inside. When it is cooked, those soft spaces can soak up some of the oil in the pan. As the eggplant heats up, it also becomes softer and more tender.

This makes eggplant a great ingredient for talking about texture, heat, and how foods change when they cook. Find more Food Science Experiments for Kids .

What Happens When You Cook Eggplant?

Mini Kitchen Experiment

Cut eggplant into small cubes or slices.
Place some in a pan with a little oil.
Watch how the eggplant changes from firm to soft.
Notice how the eggplant absorbs some of the oil.
Talk about why the texture changed as it cooked.

This is a simple way to explore cooking science while learning about vegetables.

Eggplant Nutrition Facts

Eggplant is high in fiber, folate, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin K. It is also low in calories.

Eggplant is high in fiber.
It provides folate and potassium.
It contains vitamin C and vitamin K.
Eggplant is low in calories.

More Food Fact Resources

Recipe Ideas

Eggplant Fries

These crispy eggplant fries can be baked or fried and served with pasta sauce for dipping.

Category: Snack
Bake: 375F
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 15 to 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 15 to 20 minutes | Total: 40 minutes

Ingredients

1 medium eggplant
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 cup Italian bread crumbs
3 tablespoons olive oil
Pasta sauce

Instructions

Peel the eggplant and chop off the ends.
Cut the eggplant into sticks and soak in ice water about 30 minutes.
In a flat dish, mix the milk and egg together.
Spread the bread crumbs in another flat dish.
Dip the eggplant sticks into the milk mixture, then into the bread crumbs to coat.
Place in a baking dish and chill 30 minutes.
Have an adult fry in oil about 10 minutes until golden, or bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until crispy.
Serve with pasta sauce for dipping.

Easy Variation: Try baking the fries instead of frying them for a different texture.