Thorough explanation of how to freeze eggplant and its storage period! [Explanation with photos! ]

"I received a lot of eggplant, but I can't eat it all!"
“I want it to last a long time!”

Have you ever had this experience?

Even if you store eggplant in the refrigerator, it will become limp within 2 to 3 days, and you won't be able to eat it while it still tastes delicious. If you don't eat all the food, you'll end up eating it too late, and the food will lose its freshness and taste.

Actually, this is such a waste. Eggplant can be frozen to keep it delicious for a long time.

This site, which is a frozen food media that introduces how to freeze over 100 types of food, will actually try out how to freeze eggplants and explain it with photos.

In addition, we will introduce the nutrition of eggplant explained by a nutritionist and recipes for using frozen eggplant.

Learn how to freeze eggplants and make the most of your delicious eggplants!

Advantages of freezing eggplant

Keeps for a long time

As I mentioned at the beginning, if you store eggplant in the refrigerator, it will become limp in about 2 to 3 days, and the inside will turn black in about a week.

Also, if you store it unused, the color will quickly change from the cut end.

Freezing your food will greatly slow down the rate at which it changes color and spoils.

If you freeze raw eggplants, they will stay delicious for 1 to 2 months, and dried eggplants will last for about a year.

It is economically better to freeze the eggplants immediately after buying them, rather than leaving them to spoil.

Enjoy the crispy texture of the skin

Freezing the eggplant removes moisture and brings out the texture of the skin, so you can enjoy a crunchier texture when making stir-fries.

For those who like the crunchy texture of eggplant skin, freezing them is recommended.

Can reduce cooking time

Freezing it breaks the fibers and allows the flavors to soak in more easily, so when you make stews such as ratatouille, the flavors soak in quickly.

Also, when frying, the eggplant may splash oil and take a long time to cook through.

Frozen eggplant loses moisture and cooks easily, so it takes less time to cook.

Since it requires less oil, it also reduces calories.
　

Freezing eggplant has many benefits. So how should you actually freeze it?

There are actually three ways to freeze eggplants. We will introduce each freezing method with photos and tips on how to freeze them deliciously.

How to freeze eggplant

We have explained the benefits of freezing eggplant. Here we will introduce three ways to freeze eggplant.

The first method is to remove the scum and then freeze raw food, which does not require much effort when freezing.

The second method is to cook and then freeze the food, which makes meal preparation easier because you can eat it immediately after thawing it.

The third method is to dry and then freeze the eggplants, which is great when you have a lot of eggplants or don't have a lot of storage space, as this reduces the bulk.

When freezing raw

1. Wash the eggplant and cut it into convenient sizes.

It is convenient to cut it into chunks or thick rounds when using it for dishes with a lot of juice, such as stews, and to cut it thinly when making it into stir-fries.

2. In a large bowl, soak in water for about 10 minutes to remove the scum.

Soak in plenty of water to thoroughly remove the scum.

3. Wipe off the moisture with kitchen paper etc.

If you don't wipe off the water thoroughly, they will stick together when frozen.

4.Place it in a ziplock bag as flat as possible.

If you are cutting the eggplant into chunks or rounds, arrange the eggplants so that they do not stick together, and if you are cutting the eggplant into thin slices, wrap each serving in plastic wrap and then place it in a ziplock bag for ease of use.

5. Freeze the food at a low temperature as quickly as possible by using the refrigerator's rapid freezing or by increasing the freezer setting.

Furthermore, if you place the food in a metal bat or aluminum foil, you can freeze it faster and maintain its deliciousness.

How to cook and then freeze

1. Stir-fried eggplant with miso or grilled eggplant.

Cooked eggplants are heated for a longer period of time than they would normally be eaten to evaporate moisture, so they won't become soggy when you eat them.

2. Divide into small portions with plastic wrap and place in ziplock bags for ease of use.

When using it for lunch boxes, it is easier to use if you put it in an aluminum cup and then put it in a ziplock bag.

3. Freeze the food at a low temperature as quickly as possible by using the refrigerator's rapid freezing or by increasing the freezer setting.

Furthermore, if you place the food in a metal bat or aluminum foil, you can freeze it faster and maintain its deliciousness.

How to dry and freeze

1. Wash the eggplant, cut it into rounds or chunks, and soak it in plenty of water for about 10 minutes to remove the scum.

It's useful to think about what kind of dish you'll be using it for and then decide how to cut it.

2. Arrange on a drying net or colander and dry in the sun for a day.

Convenient drying nets are sold at 100 yen shops, but if you don't have a drying net or a colander, you can also use kitchen paper on newspaper.

3. Store in a ziplock bag and freeze.

There are three ways to freeze eggplant. We recommend storing it using a freezing method that suits your intended use. In some cases, frozen eggplant can be cooked without thawing.

How to thaw frozen eggplants and how long to keep them frozen

How to thaw frozen eggplant

If you want to use it as an ingredient in stews or miso soup, cook it while frozen.

When making stir-fried dishes, it is better to warm up the food slightly in the microwave before cooking, since the temperature of the frying pan will not drop, making it more delicious and also saving time.

If you have frozen food after cooking, it is best to thaw it in the refrigerator or reheat it in the microwave.

Storage period of frozen eggplant

Frozen eggplant should be eaten within 1 to 2 months.

If you dry the eggplants in the sun for 2 to 3 days and freeze them so that all the moisture is completely removed when drying them, you can eat them until the next year when the eggplants can be harvested.

Before using completely dried and frozen eggplants, soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes so that the eggplants are lukewarm when thawed, and then squeeze out the water.

So far, we have introduced how to freeze and thaw eggplants. However, some people may be wondering how to use frozen eggplant.

In fact, there are many ways to use frozen eggplant. Here we will introduce the nutrition of eggplant and recipes using frozen eggplant.

>> 3 points to keep in mind when preserving vegetables

A nutritionist explains! About the nutrition of eggplant

eggplant nutrition
Eggplant has a high water content, containing 93.0g/100g.
Also Dietary fiber or potassium Contains and is effective in relieving constipation.
Eggplant is said to have a cooling effect on the body, making it a perfect food for summer.
If you don't want to cool your body, you can use it in hot dishes or cook it with ingredients that warm your body, such as ginger.

eggplant dye
Eggplant is called nasunin. Polyphenol contained.
For Nasnin antioxidant effect or, suppresses absorption of cholesterol It's effective.
Nasunin is contained in large amounts in the skin of eggplants, so in order to get it efficiently,
It is best to cook it with the skin on.

Types of eggplant
Long eggplant: It is long and has soft flesh, making it suitable for stir-frying and grilling.
Kamo eggplant: A round eggplant grown in Kamigamo, Kita Ward, Kyoto Prefecture, famous for Dengaku.
Rice eggplant: A large eggplant that is an improved version of the American variety, with fewer seeds and fewer fruits.
Water eggplant: It is suitable for eating raw as it is juicy and has little scum.

How to choose eggplant
1.The stem has thorns and the stem is not withered.
2.The skin is deep purple, firm and shiny.
3. Something that is generally rounded and heavy.

Nutritionist Ruri

Obtained nutritionist qualifications from Toita Women's Junior College and graduated from the same university. After graduating from Kyorin University, she also obtained a qualification as a food hygiene manager. Currently at DayBreak Co., Ltd., she oversees various food freezing research and writing informative content about food. Her hobbies are traveling and hula dancing.

5 easy recipes using frozen eggplant

Easy with frozen eggplant! Instant miso soup

☑材料（1人分）
・冷凍なす　適量
・インスタントみそ汁の素　1杯分

<How to make>
1) Just put the frozen eggplant and instant miso soup base in a bowl, pour hot water, and it's ready.

If you like, you can add small onions, ginger, fried tofu, or fried eggs.

You can also enjoy it deliciously by frying it in oil and then freezing it.

If you are concerned about the temperature of the miso soup, before adding the frozen eggplant to the bowl, place it on a plate and warm it up slightly in the microwave before using.

Frozen eggplants are healthy! tomato sauce pasta

☑材料（1人分）
・パスタ　1人前
・冷凍なす　1本分
・厚切りベーコン　適量
・カットトマト缶　1/3缶分位
・おろしニンニク　小さじ1位
・とんかつソース　大さじ1~2
・塩コショウ　少々
・粉チーズ　少々
・ピア用チーズ　適量
・オリーブ油　大さじ2

<How to make>
1) Add olive oil and garlic to a frying pan and heat over low heat.

2) When it becomes fragrant, add the thinly cut bacon and stir-fry.

3) Add frozen eggplant (slightly warm it in the microwave before use to save time) and stir-fry. Once the eggplant is cooked, add canned tomatoes and tonkatsu sauce and simmer.

4) Add the cooked pasta on time and season with salt and pepper.

5) Arrange on a plate, sprinkle with powdered cheese, pizza cheese, and basil if you like, and it's done.

Also recommended for lunch boxes! Stir-fried eggplant with miso

☑材料（アルミカップ12個分）
・なす　6本
・ごま油　大さじ2
・砂糖　大さじ2強
・みりん　大さじ2
・味噌　大さじ2強
・醤油　大さじ2
・いりごま　適量

<How to make>
1) Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise, then cut into 1cm wide pieces, and soak in plenty of water for about 10 minutes to remove any bitterness.

2) Fry the eggplant in a frying pan with sesame oil.

3) When it becomes soft, add the mixed seasonings and stir-fry.

4) Stir-fry while evaporating the water until the water evaporates.

5) Place in an aluminum cup, sprinkle with roasted sesame seeds, place in a ziplock bag, remove as much air as possible, and rapid freezing.

6) You can put it in your lunch box and let it defrost naturally. If you want to heat it up in the microwave, etc., we recommend freezing it in silicone cups instead of aluminum cups.

Convenient to serve as a snack! frozen grilled eggplant

☑材料（1人分）
・なす　適量

<How to make>
1) Grill the eggplant on a grill or grill until the skin turns black.

2) Peel and cool thoroughly, then cut into bite-sized pieces.

3) Divide into small portions and wrap in plastic wrap to make it easier to use, then place in a ziplock bag, removing air, and store in the freezer.

4) After serving on a plate, let it thaw naturally or warm it up slightly in the microwave, then sprinkle with ginger, green onion, ginger, shiso leaves, bonito flakes, etc. as you like, and serve with soy sauce or ponzu sauce.

In step 2, it's easier to peel the eggplant while it's hot, so use kitchen paper to peel the eggplant, being careful not to burn yourself.

If you place it as flat as possible in step 3, it will be delicious and can be frozen quickly.

Increase nutritional value with frozen dried eggplant! easy ratatouille

☑材料（2人分）
・冷凍干しなす　2本分
・トマトソース　150ℊ
・乾燥バジル　適量
・オリーブ油　大さじ1
・塩コショウ　少々
・粉チーズ　適量

<How to make>
1) Add olive oil and frozen dried eggplant to a heated frying pan and stir-fry.

2) Lightly season with salt and pepper, then toss with tomato sauce.

3) Add dried basil and stir-fry further.

4) Arrange on a plate, sprinkle with grated cheese and dried or sweet basil if you like, and it's done.

Conclusion

On this page, we have introduced how to freeze and thaw eggplants, as well as recipes for using frozen eggplants. Do you know how to freeze eggplant?

If you store eggplant in the refrigerator, it will start to spoil quickly, and you may end up losing flavor or throwing it away without being able to eat it.

However, by freezing eggplant, you can preserve it for a long time while maintaining its delicious state.