Oven eggplant fries offer big flavor, low calories

This recipe combines two great things about September. First, one of my favorite vegetables, eggplant, are widely available at farmers markets right now. This is due to the fact that they tend to need longer growing seasons, so August-September are peak times for them.

Second, with the cooler weather starting up, it’s easier to use the oven without running up a higher air conditioning bill or heating up the house.

Eggplants can be fried, stir-fried, sauteed, baked, or grilled, but this recipe turns them into a nutritious and tasty version of fries. Breaded but baked, these are lower in fat than fried eggplant.

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Tags: recipe | eggplant | healthy |

Baba Ghanoush with Sea Salt

Just three more days left to enter our eggplant recipe contest! Share your favorite recipe now for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Harrison’s Wine Grill in State College.

Looking for inspiration? Try this recipe for Baba Ghanoush from Jenna Weber for PBS Food. It makes use of the final eggplant of the season and is delicious as a sandwich spread or an appetizer with crackers and olives. 

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Tags: recipe | summer | eggplant |

Harvesting Eggplant

Many Americans have lost touch with the land and food production, and know little about what the folks who grow vegetables actually do. A student of mine on a class visit to a farm was amazed when she pulled a carrot out of the ground. So this is where they come from!

People around here often either grew up on a farm or have gardens, and know how carrots grow. Still, I suspect few know the details of growing less common vegetables. Today’s discussion reveals the shocking truth about life in the eggplant patch at harvest.

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Tags: farm | eggplant |

Eggplant Recipe Contest

How do you eat an eggplant? Share your favorite recipe by September 1st for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Harrison’s Wine Grill in State College.

Submit your recipe today!

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Tags: recipecontest | eggplant |

Eggplant Caponata

Caponata is a classic dish from Italy—the eggplant soaks up the flavors of the salty and sweet ingredients and is a pleasing, flavor-filled way to eat lots of this healthful vegetable. There are additional health benefits in this recipe from the fresh, in-season garlic, the rice wine vinegar, and the cocoa powder. August is eggplant season with plenty available at the farmers markets, so stock up now! 

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Tags: recipe | summer | eggplant |

Winner of the Eggplant Recipe Contest

Thanks to everyone who participated in this month’s eggplant recipe contest! Congratulations to Albert of State College and his Lavash Flatbread recipe. He is the recipient of a $25 gift certificate to Mount Nittany Winery in Centre Hall.

Continue reading to see all of the submitted recipes. Enjoy!

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Tags: recipe | eggplant | recipecontest |

Sweet and Sour Eggplant

It’s the final week to share your favorite eggplant recipe for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Mount Nittany Winery! Still looking for inspiration? Check out this sweet, sour, and slightly spicy recipe.

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Tags: recipe | fall | eggplant |

Asian-Style Ratatouille with Eggplant

Eggplant is delicious hot or cold and can be enjoyed marinated, stuffed, roasted, grilled, fried, baked in a casserole or stewed. How do you like to prepare it? Share your favorite recipe this month for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Mount Nittany Winery.

Continue reading for a recipe from Steve Spanelli of Tait Farm.

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Tags: recipe | summer | fall | eggplant | squash | zucchini | tomatoes |

Orzo with Roasted Eggplant and Cinnamon-Cumin Dressing

Since seeing Food, Inc. and reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma, I’ve become more conscious of the food I eat — especially the meat I eat.

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Tags: summer | recipe | eggplant |