A question about a recipe: Alice Waters' Ratatouille

Question

If you were making this with small Japanese eggplants (6-8" and fairly slender), would you salt the eggplant at the outset?  The ones I get at the Asian farmers' market are not in the slightest bit bitter.  Thanks very much.  ;o)

AntoniaJames · Answer

Hey, thanks, everyone. I made this over the weekend and salted the Japanese eggplant. Quite a bit of water was released.  The ratatouille was so tasty!  I didn't use bell peppers, but did add some gold zucchini for color along with some green ones.  I'll comment on the recipe itself, too.;o)

sdebrango · Answer

I use small Italian eggplants and don't salt them. They are not bitter at all, I do agree with HLA about the salt drawing out the water but with the smaller ones I find that the  water is minimal.

dymnyno · Answer

I usually don't salt small eggplants, especially very fresh Japanese eggplants.

wssmom · Answer

I generally don't salt the small eggplants ....

hardlikearmour · Answer

I almost always salt eggplant to help draw out some of the water as it gives a better final texture, so I vote yes.

A question about a recipe: Alice Waters' Ratatouille

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