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Post by emseypop on Aug 22, 2008 17:00:07 GMT 1
I ended up with about 15 aubergine plants this year, so I gave 13 away and the two I've got look very pretty. A friend of mine who grows a lot of veg but is very old fashioned rang up in a panic the other day, wanting to know what the plants I gave him were and there was a fruit on it! Its about 3" What size should he let it get to before cutting it? I've never managed to get any fruit on mine (second year) Also he wanted to know how to cook it? Tony is not a marvel in the kitchen and doesn't do fancy food, so any suggestions? Thanks  |
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Post by Sweetleaf on Aug 22, 2008 17:10:09 GMT 1
I ended up with about 15 aubergine plants this year, so I gave 13 away and the two I've got look very pretty. A friend of mine who grows a lot of veg but is very old fashioned rang up in a panic the other day, wanting to know what the plants I gave him were and there was a fruit on it! Its about 3" What size should he let it get to before cutting it? I've never managed to get any fruit on mine (second year) Also he wanted to know how to cook it? Tony is not a marvel in the kitchen and doesn't do fancy food, so any suggestions? Thanks Simplest thing to do is slice them lengthways and fry in a little olive oil and garlic, if big enough they can be stuffed, with whatever your favourite filling is..... Rice, peas, onions and small bits of chicken is my favourite, or cous cous instead of rice alternatively. They are quite variable in size fully grown depending on variety. I like them about 6 to 8 inches so they are big enough for purpose. |
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Post by emseypop on Aug 22, 2008 17:13:01 GMT 1
I told him to wait till they were 6ish inches  I cant see him eating them tho, could he mash them with a potato  or summat?  |
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Post by Sweetleaf on Aug 22, 2008 17:19:37 GMT 1
Naaah, they would look yukky for one thing!  Surely frying in olive oil wouldnt be too hard? |
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 23, 2008 7:25:40 GMT 1
Ratatouille might be the solution! Fried onions, garlic, fresh cubed aubergine, pepper, courgette...whatever he has plus tomatoes, all shoved in a pan and gently simmered until cooked seasoned with black pepper, salt and les herbes...I like Oregano and Basil. Eaten with whatever he fancies as a side dish. Or on its own with lovely buttered bread......  |
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Post by debbiem on Aug 23, 2008 7:33:40 GMT 1
Moussaka? Don't you have to do something to the slices first, like add salt or is that something else? That's interesting Emsey, as I have one aubergine plant in a pot which looks like it's about to flower - do you keep the plants just for their beauty? Should I expect some fruit as it's it's first year. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 23, 2008 7:39:55 GMT 1
Yes, they should fruit now as we treat them as annuals here, Debbie. Some years they are stubborn though as they are sub tropical reeeeally.....I have 4 plants in the PT and they are just bearing fruit now - I only let 2/3 grow on each plant though. And keep an eye on them as the bugs and crawlies LOVE them! I have a couple of beauties ripening....... Bought aubergines need to be salted for half an hour, then washed but with fresh grown ones I find it's not so necessary. |
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Post by debbiem on Aug 23, 2008 7:46:25 GMT 1
Aha! It's the bought ones then that you have to do that to, thanks 4P. I think I bought mine a bit late, it's an organic one from B&Q so we'll have to see what happens. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 23, 2008 8:02:11 GMT 1
If it's flowering then it's not too late - that Indian summer etc that we are going to have.....they do fruit quite late in the season so if you can keep them very warm and sunny they will still do the business, hopefully. |
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Post by debbiem on Aug 23, 2008 8:23:58 GMT 1
Thanks, hope so. I'll inspect it for creepy crawlies now and again and keep fingers crossed. |
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