I feel like I’m going all rustic on you.
Why I am so convinced that eggplant looks rustic in these pictures is beyond me. It must be the weathered wood or something – which reminds me that it’s not even weathered as my picnic table is new. I’m not doing so good on this claim here.
I know! Because apparently I’m a pioneer.
And I suppose pioneers only ate roasted eggplant while they were traveling down the Oregon Trail.
Speaking of Oregon Trail – was anyone else absolutely totally obsessed with that game? I was. And I totally let about 700 of my family members die, and my ox never survived the trip. Guess I’m not much a pioneer after all. There goes my childhood dreams of being one of the Wilders in the 1800’s. Not to mention I’m about 200 years late. Rats.
And then I remember about how I would then be a teacher in a one room school house teaching children of all ages in the brutally cold winters with snow up to my neck (wow I just made winter sound so appealing). Um, no thank you
But going back to being all rustic and such – I am a firm believer that the best recipes in life are also the most simple. I’m sorry, but I don’t have enough time in a day to be running all around finding 10 obscure ingredients. I’d rather find it in my own backyard.
Apparently I am just like the Wilders. Maybe I should adopt sell my house, move to the woods, and start living off the land. And then I remember I’m no crazy lady.
Eggplant Fries (serves 2)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
- 1 eggplant, cut into 1 inch matchsticks
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- water for soaking
- spices of your liking (I used pepper, garlic, and basil)
Directions: Begin by preheating your oven to 425 (or your grill to the low setting). While your oven is preheating, cut your eggplant into your 1 inch matchsticks (to resemble fries) and soak them in water so they will not absorb as much oil. Once the oven is preheated, drain your eggplant and spread them on a greased pan. You will then need to toss the eggplant in olive oil and add your spices to the top. Roast the eggplant fries for 20 minutes total, gently flipping them halfway through. If some pieces still seem “mushy”, turn on the broiler for a few minutes to finish browning. Watch carefully, however, to avoid burning the fries!
And then instead of sharing them with anyone else, eat the entire eggplant by yourself because you like over 20 grams of fiber in one sitting.
Not that I would know or anything.
{ 52 comments… read them below or add one }
HECK YES!!! -Obsessed with egglplant, and it’s a good thing because there are two boat tons in my back yard needing to be picked. They are my favorite food!!! (if I have a favorite!) I did not know about the soaking in water! How did I not know this?!
-I have written about my dream of being a Wilder several times, I still dream!!!
I have never had eggplant, what does it taste like?
hmmm it’s hard describe. Anyone want to help me out?
This question is sort of funny, think about it… and try to describe something yourself. Like what does broccoli taste like, or a banana, or bread (whoa “b” food trend going on). Food and tastes usually need to be eaten to know ;D Texture tho, it is usually softer, sometimes silky, holds a lot of moisture, but can crisp too… buy one (or grow) and try it out!
Oh yum!
Ok I SUCK at making eggplant. It always turns out mushy and gross and really quite…blah. To the point i never make it anymore.
“and soak them in water so they will not absorb as much oil.”–really?! that seems counterintuitive since everyone says salt it first so it RELEASES water. Never thought to ADD more.
But I trust you if this gets crispy!! results, then I’lll do it
I have found that eggplant absorbs sooo much oil – and I didn’t want to use like 1/2 cup of oil to coat it.
eggplant and portobello mushrooms are like oil sponges. they can be disgusting! if they get to that Exxon-like quality
Good to know that the water doesnt turn them into mush AND that it prevents the oil absorption factor.
“snow up to my neck” LOL
VERY creative! I love eggplant, and I had no idea that it’s so fiberlicious.
Interesting…
Eggplant is so yummers
And yes, I was totally obsessed with the Oregon Trail game! In a morbid sort of way…I never got when it said “Rebecca has just died”…Wait, isn’t that me?? :/
Omg…my bf and I were actually just talking about the oregon trail last week! I used to LOVE that game! It was awesome
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Eee! I remember Oregon Trail! LOVED that game, even though my family always died from malaria or exposure or what not. Good times
Unfortunately, I don’t feel the same way about eggplant. It and zucchini are two veggies that I absolutely can’t stand. Maybe I just don’t prepare them properly, but… eugh.
I’ve actually only had eggplant once before – in a veggie curry. I definitely need to try these fries – they do look all rustic.
I would like u to make me these! U think they are better than sweet potato fries?!
I have to say… NOTHING is better than sweet potato fries. These are just different!
I love eggplant (though we call it aubergine!)… definitely going to give these fries a bash!
I use to love Oregon Trail!! Played it like it was my job and I was actually pretty good at it too. Now I kind of want to play it..
You’re not crazy for thinking those eggplant fries look rustic because I see it too. Something about they’re pretty brown and crisp look. I don’t blame you for eating them all yourself, I would have done the same thing.
I LOVED Oregon Trail back in elementary school!!! We had it on a true ‘floppy’ disc and took it to the computer labs to play it!
Also, I live in the woods and would love to be able to live off the land! However, my garden is not going well this summer….
I’ve tried this twice and THANK YOU because the key trick must be soaking them in water. I tried to sweat mine and salt them and then pat them dry but the result? Mushy. (Mushy and delish)
Thanks!
BROIL THEM!!!
I agree – totally rustic-looking. And yes, I too loved Oregon Trail. To forge or not to forge??? Silly question.
Loved Oregon Trail…loved Laura Ingalls Wilder books even more. I already bought Clara a hardback set.
I loooove eggplant fries !! Especially dipped in Marinara!!!
Those “fries” look delicious! I’m going to have to try this recipe! And I definitely killed a lot of people on oregon trail. I always made it to the end when I was younger (I think it came out in like 3rd grade?) but when i tried to play it again in high school I could never make it there alive! What did my 3rd grade self know…
Hahaha 20 g of fiber. Well that sounds delicious when it comes in the form of eggplant fries. I’d love to try these.
Yum!! I love eggplant!! One of my fave things to eat and tis’ the season!
It sure is! This one came from my garden!
I make these every day! I’m not joking. I put them on my salad. I can probably count on one hand the number of days I’ve gone without them in the last 6 months. I don’t even put oil or anything on them though. I just slice and roast. YUM. I don’t know about all this bitterness or “eggplant is so hard to cook” business that people go on and on about. Its easy. And not bitter.
I totally agree.
Yumm!!! I can’t wait to try this, I love eggplant. My favorite way to eat it is layered with marinara and cheese. delish! I used to love the Oregon Trails game, but I was seriously terrible at it. I still don’t understand how to survive through the game.
I love eggplant
had some, well basically a whole one, with dinner. I always get the basil eggplant at Thai places although I agree it can be like a sponge and soak up a ton of oil. It seems like one of those foods you either hate or love.
Yum I roast eggplant all the time but I’ve never done them in the form of fries.
Fun fact for you – in Ireland and the UK eggplant is called aubergine
I’ve never tried eggplant…is that weird?! :/
YES! haha – no not really, but you should try it!
YES! I loved Oregon Trail back in the day! I always looked forward to rainy days so that we could play it at recess!
These look good! I love it when eggplant is crispy on the outside but mushy on the inside.
Um….YUM! great idea. I don’t know why I haven’t thought of this yet….great pics and idea! Thanks
I wish I could like eggplant more. It’s good and all, but I just can’t get behind the texture 100%…
These would be good with a nice homemade tomato sauce…
I love roasted eggplant…cubed with herbs or as a crunchy baked eggplant parm yumm! I have never tried soaking before – I usually just spray a pan with a bit of olive oil and then on the eggplant cause I’m lazy haha.
Yummm! I have a ton of eggplant from my g-ma’s garden and didn’t even think about eggplant fries. Silly me! Thanks for the idea!
Mmm, I made some eggplant fries a few weeks ago, and pretty much ate the whole eggplant myself. Meeker got like…one.
And I loved Oregon trail. We had the game on our school computers in 5th grade and I don’t think I learned anything else that year. You should have been my teacher.
HAHAHA I totally was completely obsessed with The Oregon Trail. I would play for hours and hours DETERMINED to make it alive! I actually bought the game for my iPhone, but I was sad to discover it was nothing compared to the original game
sad day.
I’d never thought of soaking in water before tossing in oil — such a great concept! Do you do this with other veg that you roast?
Not really – I know mushrooms absorb a lot of oil, BUT if you put mushrooms in water their consistency totally changes and they will end up all rubbery. Gross.
eggplant and zukes are my favorite – never had them in “fry’ form before though, this is fantastic!!
Eggplant is my Favorite!! This looks so good and so easy! Thanks for sharing it!! And yes…it looks rustic!!
Um, Oregon Trail master here. And by master I mean always died of dysentery or fording the river. It was a rough life in second grade computer class.
Another great trick for eggplant….
When you soak it in the water, add salt, like a brine. This really brings out the flavor of the eggplant and gets rid of any bitterness. Great to know it also cuts down on oil. I have a stuffed eggplant recipe with lentils and I always use this trick. People that say they don’t like eggplant cant believe how delicious it is.
I usually do salt it too but I forgot to this past time. I don’t really taste a difference from when I do salt and when I forget!
I love the pioneer comments! and it’s not just you; I think they look rustic too
These look amazing!! I have eggplant with my garden that I have been staring at and feeling uninspired…until now Thanks!
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