If you’ve got a bounty of delicious eggplants on your hands, you’ll want to keep them fresh for as long as possible. To keep that homegrown quality from slipping, there are a few tricks of the trade you should know. Let’s dive into the best ways to store your harvest!
The Fruit
If you’re planning on storing your eggplants, timing is everything when it comes to harvesting . You want them perfectly ripe, which you can tell by their color. Depending on the variety, they should be a rich shade ranging anywhere from creamy white to deep, dark purple.
The skin is another great giveaway for ripeness. It should have a nice semi-glossy sheen and feel firm to the touch. If you press your thumb into it, it should leave a slight dimple that bounces back pretty quickly.
Even if you’re just buying eggplants at the store , keep an eye out for ripe, unblemished ones. If they’re already soft or bruised, they won’t last long in your kitchen.
Storage Options
There are a few different spots where you can stash your eggplants for the short term: the fridge, the basement, or just a cool room in the house.
The Refrigerator
Believe it or not, the fridge isn’t actually the best spot for eggplants. These guys love the heat, and that preference follows them even after they’re picked. The fridge is usually too cold and damp for them. Think of it as an emergency backup—only keep them in there for a day or two at most.
The Basement
A basement is usually a much better bet. It’s not as chilly as the fridge and tends to stay drier. You can usually expect your eggplants to stay fresh for about five days down there.
Room Temperature
If you have a cool room that stays around 60°F (15°C), you’ve found the “Goldilocks” zone for eggplant storage. In these conditions, your veggies can stay in great shape for up to a week.
Storage Tips
One big rule: keep your eggplants away from other fruits and veggies. Produce like tomatoes and apples release ethylene gas as they ripen, which acts like a fast-forward button for spoilage.
If you’ve already sliced into an eggplant, go ahead and put it in the fridge and use it as soon as possible. The same goes for any cooked eggplant dishes—the fridge is definitely the right place for leftovers.
Pro Tip: If you ended up with a massive harvest or a great deal at the farmer’s market, don’t let them go to waste! You can preserve them for the long haul by freezing, drying, or pickling them.