--- title: "Eggplant: what it means in cooking — Tiny Plates" description: "Eggplant is a glossy purple vegetable that turns silky and creamy when well cooked. In the UK, Ireland and Sweden it is aubergine, in India brinjal." url: "https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/eggplant" --- # Eggplant Eggplant is a glossy purple vegetable that turns silky and creamy when well cooked. In the UK, Ireland and Sweden it is aubergine, in India brinjal. Also called Aubergine, Brinjal, Baingan, Melanzana. Eggplant is a large, glossy fruit used as a vegetable, usually deep purple but also white, striped or pale green. Raw, it is spongy and bland. Cooked well, it turns soft, creamy and silky and takes on the flavor of oil, spices and smoke. It is used in [ratatouille](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/ratatouille), moussaka, curries, stir-fries and dips such as baba ghanoush. ## How to do it To roast: 1. Cut the eggplant into 2 to 3 cm (1 inch) cubes or thick slices. 2. Toss with enough olive oil to coat, and salt. 3. Spread on a tray in one layer and [roast](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/roast) at 220°C (425°F) for 25 to 35 minutes, turning once, until golden and very soft. For a smoky dip, [char](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/char) a whole eggplant over a gas flame, on a [grill](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/grill) or under a broiler (grill in the UK) until the skin is black and the inside collapses, about 15 to 20 minutes. Scoop out the flesh. ## How to tell it is done The flesh is soft all the way through and creamy, with no white, spongy patches. A knife slides in with no resistance. Undercooked eggplant squeaks and tastes bitter. ## How to use it The same vegetable has different names: * Eggplant in the US, Canada and Australia. * Aubergine in the UK, Ireland, France and Sweden (_aubergine_). * Brinjal in India and South Africa, and _baingan_ in Hindi, as in _baingan bharta_. * _Melanzana_ in Italy, plural _melanzane_, as in _melanzane alla parmigiana_. Long, thin Asian eggplants have thinner skin, fewer seeds and cook faster. They are good in stir-fries and [curries](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/curry). Smoky eggplant dips are part of most [mezze](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/mezze) tables. ## How to store it Keep eggplant in a cool spot or the warmest part of the fridge and use it within 3 to 4 days. It bruises easily and goes soft and brown inside if kept too long or too cold. ## Common mistakes * Undercooking it. Eggplant needs more time than most vegetables. * Pan-frying slices in a little oil at a time. Eggplant soaks it up like a sponge. Roast or broil it instead, or salt it first: sprinkle with salt, leave 30 minutes, then pat dry. That draws out water so it absorbs less oil. * Picking old, heavy-seeded eggplants. Choose firm, shiny ones that feel heavy for their size, with green caps. ## In recipes You will see "1 large eggplant, cubed", "2 aubergines, sliced lengthways" and "baby eggplants, halved". ## Recipes that use it 33 recipes from the sites we collect. * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Chicken-Eggplant-Parmesan-9.jpg)Chicken Eggplant Parmesanwww.skinnytaste.com · 35 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/chicken-eggplant-parmesan/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Vegan-Egplant-Meatballs.jpg)Vegan Eggplant Meatballswww.skinnytaste.com · 80 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/vegan-eggplant-meatballs/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/EggplantMeatballs.jpg)Eggplant Meatballswww.skinnytaste.com · 50 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/eggplant-meatballs/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Stuffed-Eggplant-Boats-1-5.jpg)Stuffed Eggplant Parmesanwww.skinnytaste.com · 45 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/baked-eggplant-parmesan-boats-with/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Baked-Ratatouille-with-Cheese-7.jpg)Baked Ratatouille with Havarti Cheesewww.skinnytaste.com · 85 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/baked-ratatouille-with-havarti-cheese/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Baked-Eggplant-Sticks-11.jpg)Baked Eggplant Stickswww.skinnytaste.com · 25 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/baked-eggplant-sticks/) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2022/09/eggplant-parmesan.jpg)Eggplant Parmesanwww.onceuponachef.com · 100 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/eggplant-parmesan.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2025/02/Caponata-11.jpg)Caponatawww.onceuponachef.com · 60 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/caponata.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2024/05/ratatouille.jpg)Ratatouillewww.onceuponachef.com · 75 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/ratatouille.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2024/07/baba-ganoush-with-pita-and-cucumber-1.jpg)Baba Ganoushwww.onceuponachef.com · 60 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/baba-ganoush.html) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/Lighter-Eggplant-Parmesan-4.jpg)Lighter Eggplant Parmesanwww.skinnytaste.com · 90 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/lighter-eggplant-parmesan-5-pts/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Eggplant-and-Tomato-Sauce-8.jpg)Eggplant and Tomato Saucewww.skinnytaste.com · 25 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/eggplant-and-tomato-sauce/) ## Related terms * [RatatouilleRatatouille is a Provençal stew of eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, onion and tomato cooked in olive oil. See why each vegetable is cooked on its own.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/ratatouille) * [CharCharring cooks food over intense heat until parts of the surface turn black and blistered, adding smoky flavor to peppers, corn, onions and meat.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/char) * [RoastRoasting cooks meat or vegetables uncovered in a hot oven, so dry heat browns the outside and concentrates flavor while the inside cooks through.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/roast) * [MezzeMezze is a spread of small dishes from the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, such as hummus, salads and dips, shared at the table. See what to serve.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/mezze) * [CurryA curry is a spiced dish of meat, fish or vegetables in a sauce, from South Asia and beyond. See how to build one, from frying spices to the final simmer.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/curry) * [GrillGrilling cooks food on a grate over direct, high heat from charcoal, gas or wood. It gives a browned, smoky crust and those dark stripes in minutes.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/grill) [More in regional names](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/category/regional-names)[Every term from A to Z](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary)