Simple Saltwater Soak Transforms Fried Eggplant For Israelis
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
A simple saltwater soak for 30 minutes before frying can prevent eggplant from absorbing too much oil and becoming bitter, a common issue for Israelis. After soaking, the eggplant is rinsed, dried, and can optionally be dusted with cornstarch for extra crispiness. This technique aims to produce lighter, crispier, and bitterness-free fried eggplant.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A 30-minute saltwater soak prevents eggplant from absorbing excess oil and becoming bitter.
- The method involves soaking eggplant in a salt and water mixture.
- Rinsing and thoroughly drying the eggplant after soaking is crucial.
- An optional cornstarch dusting before frying creates an extra-crispy exterior.
- This technique is presented as a permanent solution to common fried eggplant problems.
A common Israeli culinary delight, fried eggplant, can often absorb excessive oil, leading to a heavy and sometimes bitter taste. However, a straightforward technique involving a saltwater soak can reportedly resolve this issue permanently.
The method requires only a bowl, water, and salt. Sliced or diced eggplant should be submerged in a mixture of one tablespoon of salt per liter of water for at least 30 minutes. During this time, the salt draws out bitterness and prevents the eggplant from soaking up too much oil during frying.
After soaking, the eggplant must be thoroughly rinsed to remove excess salt and then dried completely with paper towels, as moisture and hot oil are a dangerous combination. Following this preparation, the eggplant can be fried as usual, resulting in a lighter, crispier, and bitterness-free dish.
For an even crispier texture, an additional tip suggests dusting the dried eggplant with a thin layer of cornstarch on all sides just before frying. This creates a remarkably crunchy exterior while keeping the inside soft and tender. The article suggests that once this method is tried, traditional frying methods will no longer be appealing.