4

I'm going to attempt this hot and sour chinese eggplant recipe which calls for chinese eggplant. However, I only have a "regular" eggplant that you find in the typical American grocery store.

  • Can this be used as a direct substitution?
  • Are there any caveats I should be aware of?
  • My eggplant is 9" long and 4" thick at it's widest. Is this equivalent to 2 long chinese eggplants?
hobodave
  • 38,350
  • 16
  • 145
  • 214

1 Answers1

6

The Chinese eggplant will have a thinner skin, less seeds (read: less bitterness); as a result, it will have an overall more delicate flavor.

You can substitute a globe eggplant (the kind usually sold in American grocery stores) equally; just be aware you'll get extra "eggplant" flavor.

Since the recipe you're using has strong flavors already, this should not be a problem. However, if the recipe were using more delicate flavors, it would not turn out quite as the recipe author intended.

JustRightMenus
  • 10,817
  • 29
  • 65
  • 94
  • 2
    Agreed; it isn't a perfect substitute, but generally a pretty acceptable one. And yes, I'd use one good sized globe like that for 2 Asian eggplants. Close enough. – Michael Natkin Sep 03 '10 at 03:19
  • 2
    Remove seeds in center to minimize bitter taste. –  Mar 13 '13 at 20:34