Question For The Brits Here

[fmdog44]

Went to the grocery store "For British & East Indians" today because they are expanding to include fresh veggies. I saw eggplants the size of lemons. I have never seen those before so my question as an eggplant lover is what do people do with them?

 

[horseless carriage]

If, by eggplant, you mean aubergine, (solanum melongena) amongst other recipes it's the main ingredient for ratatouille.
You know, or you have probably realised that ratatouille is French, and here is the way to make it.
https://cookieandkate.com/best-ratatouille-recipe/

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[Lethe200]

There are many different varieties of eggplant, and of all of them, the American large-sized purple "Globe" eggplant is one of the less-interesting, IMHO.

The smaller Asian eggplants are popular around here. They have fewer seeds and more interesting flavor, with a slightly firmer texture that doesn't overcook into mush as easily as the Globe variety.


SpruceEats.com has a good article on them. The photo is from the article:
Eggplant Varieties

 

[fmdog44]

There are many different varieties of eggplant, and of all of them, the American large-sized purple "Globe" eggplant is one of the less-interesting, IMHO.

The smaller Asian eggplants are popular around here. They have fewer seeds and more interesting flavor, with a slightly firmer texture that doesn't overcook into mush as easily as the Globe variety.
View attachment 145509

SpruceEats.com has a good article on them. The photo is from the article:
Eggplant Varieties

None of the above are match.

 

[Lethe200]

Some varieties are a little sweeter than others, but all are recognizably "eggplant" flavored. Except for stuffing one, you can use most eggplant varieties interchangeably.

I don't use the American Globe for Asian recipes, however. It gets mushy too fast unless you do the whole "salt beforehand, let sit, wipe off, cut and cook". Takes too long and I just don't find the flavor that interesting.