It's easy to grow vegetables at home.If you have a crop of eggplant coming in, it is important to know when to harvest them.All you need to do is cut them from the stem once they are ready.If you store them properly, they will keep for 1-2 weeks after harvest.
Step 1: It's a good idea to check the eggplants after 16 weeks after planting.
It can take up to 24 weeks for a plant to grow.Make sure to check the fruit every 1-2 days to see if it's ready to eat.It is time to harvest when an eggplant shows signs of being ripe.It can turn bitter if you wait a few days.
Step 2: The skin on the eggplant is smooth and shiny.
The skin of the eggplant should be smooth and glossy when it is ready for harvest.The surface of the plant should not be wrinkled.There are many colors of eggplant.When ripe, check to see what color yours should be.It could be deep purple, white and purple striped.
Step 3: If you press your finger into the eggplant, you'll get a signal.
A good eggplant won't come back right away.After pressing it gently, it may leave a mark.The skin is not ripe yet.It may be overripe if it leaves a deep indentation.
Step 4: Take the size of the eggplant and put it in your hand.
The best time to pick them is when they are still small.If the eggplant becomes tender, hold it up with one hand.Pick it when it's slightly larger than your hand.
Step 5: A pair of gardening gloves is required.
Gloves will protect your hands from the prickly cap.It is possible to prevent cuts from the sharp knife or shears that you will use to cut the eggplant.
Step 6: The eggplant should be raised with 1 hand.
With your non-dominant hand, hold the eggplant.Move it so that you can reach the stem.You can get to the stem by raising it up.
Step 7: Remove the stem from the eggplant.
Prune with a sharp knife or shears.The stem should be left about 1 inch.You should make sure that your knife or shears are sharp because the stems are very thick.Don't pull the eggplant by hand.You could end up damaging the vegetable.
Step 8: Put water on the dirt.
There is a gentle stream of water.If you see dirt, gently remove it with your finger.The eggplant should be dried with paper towels.
Step 9: For 1-2 weeks, store the eggplants in a room at room temperature.
If the temperature does not go below 50 F, you can keep the eggplant on the counter in the kitchen.Put the eggplants in a bowl on the counter or table.
Step 10: You can put the eggplants in the fridge for up to three days.
There are holes in a vegetable bag or a plastic bag.If you want to keep the eggplant away from fruit, store it in a vegetable drawer.The gases can cause the eggplant to over-ripen.If your vegetable drawers have a humidity switch, store your vegetables in the drawer with other vegetables that like humidity.If the fridge's temperature drops below 41 F, your eggplant will start to form brown pits on the surface.If this happens, you have to throw the eggplant away.
Step 11: If you want to freeze the vegetable, cook it first.
It doesn't freeze well when raw.You can either roast it or puree it before putting it into the freezer.It will last up to a year using this method.If you want to roast the eggplant, slice it into 1 inch rounds.For 15-20 minutes, cook it in the oven at 350 F.Before putting the rounds in the freezer, they should be wrapped in freezer paper.If you want to puree the eggplant, poke the whole thing with a fork.For 30 minutes, roast it in the oven at 400 F.Remove the eggplant and slice it open.Put the flesh into freezer bags.Put the bags in the freezer.
Step 12: Only when you're ready to use it can you slice or cut it.
The eggplant can be cut, peeled, or sliced.When you are ready to cook, cut up your eggplant.If you cut it open, you will see a lot of brown seeds inside.You can eat it, but it will taste bitter.
Step 13: When it starts to turn brown, throw it away.
The wrinkled skin on the eggplant is a sign that it has gone bad.The skin can turn brown.Get rid of the eggplant when this happens.2 weeks after harvest is when escargots usually last.There's a way to put eggplants into a compost pile.Cut them open to speed up the process.