Aubergine - Approximate Weight 500g

To avoid discolouration, cut just before cooking. In the past, recipes called for aubergines to be sliced and salted before cooking to reduce their bitterness. As modern varieties are much less bitter that’s no longer necessary, unless you’re planning to fry them; aubergines soak up oil like a sponge and salting helps reduce that. Store them in the salad drawer of the fridge – they’ll keep for a couple of days.

Aubergine is often found baked in a Greek moussaka or Provençale ratatouille; roasted and pureed with garlic, tahini (sesame seed paste), lemon juice, salt and cumin for the Middle Eastern dip, baba ghanoush; thinly sliced and fried to make aubergine crisps.