What is the secret to tender eggplant?

The other trick for perfect roasted eggplant? Cooking it at a high temperature (425 F / 218 C) for enough time (25-30 minutes) to give it a browned exterior and tender interior.

What's the difference between zucchini and eggplant?

Appearance. Zucchini is typically dark green in color whereas eggplant is dark purple . Zucchini and eggplant grow on bushy, upright plants with thick leaves. Like the rest of its squash family, zucchini has a vining nature and large yellow flowers.

What draws out bitterness in eggplant?

Salt and rest: Slice the eggplant into your desired shape and sprinkle salt over the slices or cubes. Let them sit for about 30 minutes to an hour . The salt will draw out some of the bitter compounds.

Why do you soak eggplant in milk?

Soak eggplant slices or cubes in milk for about 30 minutes before cooking. The milk not only tempers the bitterness, but it actually makes for eggplant that is extra creamy , since the vegetable acts like a sponge and soaks up a good amount of milk in its flesh.

When not to use eggplant?

Bad eggplant looks wrinkly and dull-colored. Squishy texture and a rotten odor are other common signs of bad eggplant. Fresh eggplant lasts 2-3 days at room temperature, 5 days in the refrigerator, and 8-12 months in the freezer. Eggplant that turns brown after you slice it is okay to eat .

Why is eggplant called the king of vegetables?

The brinjal was given the title of King of Vegetables because of its astonishingly awesome purple covering, and also the juicy and rich nutritional values in them . Eggplant, aubergine, and brinjal are members of the Solanaceae family.

Is zucchini the healthiest vegetable?

Zucchini is a versatile squash rich in vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds . It may offer several health benefits, ranging from improved digestion to a lower risk of heart disease. Zucchini may aid your bones, thyroid, and prostate. If you're curious, try adding this soft, mild fruit to your diet today.

How to cook eggplant so it's soft?

drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper then toss well in a bowl using a rubber spatula . spread out on tray and bake at 240°C/ 450°F for 20 minutes, flip, then for another 10 minutes , until the eggplant is super soft and caramelised on the edges.

How do you keep eggplant from getting tough?

Always peeling it before cooking . If it's an extra-large eggplant, the vegetable could be older and the skin tougher, therefore, it's a smart idea to peel it. But small, young eggplant have thin, tender skins that add great texture to the vegetable when cooked.

Why do you soak eggplant in vinegar?

Why do you soak eggplant in water and vinegar? Soaking eggplant in water and vinegar helps remove some of the vegetable's natural bitterness . This step also helps preserve some of the skin's color so it stays a vibrant purple even after cooking.

Use Up Summer's Bounty in This Colorful, Zucchini, Eggplant, Tomato Gratin Recipe (2024)

Side Dishes
Vegetarian
Vegetable Casseroles
Eggplant

Try this French tian when you need a colorful vegetarian dish. Summer zucchini, eggplant, and tomatoes are all beautifully presented in a baked casserole gratin.

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated May 07, 2022

32 ratings

Ratatouille or Tian Recipe?

If you recall, Remy, the "little chef" in Pixar's Ratatouille, prepared something similar for Anton Ego, the food critic. This isn't that dish, but something much easier.

You just sauté onions and bell peppers, layer them at the bottom of a casserole dish, top with rounds of eggplant, zucchini, and tomato. Top that with cheese and bake!

It's a lovely, easy, colorful presentation for our favorite summer vegetables. A perfect side to take to a party.

Slicing Vegetables for This Gratin

The zucchini, eggplant, and tomato in this recipe need to be sliced into 1/4-inch rounds. A mandolin will make short work of slicing the eggplant and tomato evenly and quickly. You can also use a food processor with a slicing disc. Slicing the vegetables evenly is a big part of this gratin's visual appeal, and ensures the veggies all cook at the same rate.

Very large tomatoes may need to be cut in half or into quarters so their diameter is close to that of the zucchini and eggplant.

Storing Leftover Gratin

Cover the dish and refrigerate 3 to 5 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or the entire dish in the oven at 350°F until just warmed through.

We don't recommend freezing this dish. The texture of the vegetables won't hold up once defrosted.

5 More Vegetable Side Dishes You'll Love

Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Beet Greens
Braised Leeks
Summer Squash Green Chile Stir Fry
Grilled English Peas

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Zucchini, Eggplant, Tomato Gratin

Prep Time30 mins

Cook Time70 mins

Total Time100 mins

Servings6to 8 servings

We're topping this gratin with provolone and Parmesan cheeses. You could easily top it with gruyere instead. For a more Provençal approach, skip the cheese altogether and top with bread crumbs, minced garlic, parsley, and olive oil.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 cups sliced yellow onion (about 1 large onion)
1 cup sliced red, orange, or yellow bell peppers
1 eggplant, about 1/2 pound (a slender eggplant like a Japanese eggplant, not a large globe)
1 large zucchini or other summer squash, about 1/2 pound
2 medium tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 ounces provolone cheese, sliced or grated
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Method

Preheat the oven:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the oven rack in the center position.
Sauté the onions and peppers:
In a large sauté pan heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil on medium high heat. Add the sliced onions and cook until lightly browned, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes.
Add the sliced bell peppers and continue to cook with the onions until the bell peppers are softened and the onions are well browned, about 5 to 6 minutes more.
When done, transfer the onions and bell peppers into a large gratin pan or casserole dish.
Slice the eggplant, zucchini, and tomato:
While the onions and peppers are cooking, slice the eggplant and zucchini in 1/4-inch thick round slices.
You'll also want to slice the tomato into 1/4-inch thick slices, but depending on how big your tomato is, you may need to cut the tomato in half or in quarters first.
All of the sliced vegetable pieces should be about the same size to make it easier to layer them in an attractive manner.
Layer the sliced vegetables, add the garlic:
Spread the cooked onions and bell peppers in an even layer at the bottom of the gratin dish. Place the mashed garlic on top of the onions and peppers.
Arrange the slices of the eggplant, zucchini, and tomato on top of the cooked onions and peppers, alternating the vegetables, in an attractive pattern, stacking and fanning them across the surface of the dish.
Top with salt, parsley, cheeses, and olive oil:
Sprinkle with salt and parsley. Top with provolone and Parmesan cheeses.
Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil around the perimeter, where the vegetables meet the side of the dish.
Bake, then broil to finish:
Cover with foil (it helps to grease the underside of the foil with a little olive oil so that the cheese as it melts does not stick to the foil).
Bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil. Turn on the broiler and broil for 5 minutes or until nicely browned.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
114	Calories
8g	Fat
9g	Carbs
4g	Protein

Show Full Nutrition Label

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6to 8
Amount per serving
Calories	114
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g	10%
Saturated Fat 2g	12%
Cholesterol 7mg	2%
Sodium 503mg	22%
Total Carbohydrate 9g	3%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 36mg	179%
Calcium 96mg	7%
Iron 1mg	4%
Potassium 295mg	6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.