Italian Pickled Eggplant
This easy Italian Pickled Eggplant or Melanzane sott’olio recipe never tasted so good. Sliced pickled eggplant mixed with fresh spices and stored under oil. One of the best ways to eat eggplant.
This is one of the canning recipes that my Mother-in-law would make to keep us all happy, during the cold (for Italy cold) fall and winter months. Between this one and the Giardiniera Recipe they could easily change up or add to a meal.
How to make it
Peel and thinly slice the eggplant, do them one at a time, after you have done one, place the cut eggplant in a glass bowl and toss with 1 teaspoon of salt, continue with each eggplant. Cover the bowl and let sit for 8 hours at room temperature.
After the 8 hours, drain the liquid (but do not rinse the eggplant) and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible.
In a big pot bring to a boil the water and white wine vinegar, add the eggplant and continue to boil for about 8-10 minutes or until tender.
Remove the eggplant with a slotted spoon and wring out excess moisture. Place the eggplant in a large bowl and toss with the spices.
Spoon into the sterilized jars , leaving at least 3/4 inch of space, then top with oil. Make sure that the eggplant is completely covered. This water bath will help if you plan on canning to keep for a longer period of time.
Let sit at least 24 hours before serving. The longer it sits the better the taste.
So I said to the Italian after it sat for a day, “do you want to try it?” After we tried it we both looked at each other and we knew it was exactly like his mother made, well it should be it was her recipe, although you know sometimes no matter how much we try, it just isn’t the same. But not this time, it brought back all these amazing memories! And isn’t that what the best food does?
Why salt it?
I know that people insist it isn’t necessary to salt it first, sometimes I don’t, but believe me you do see a difference. Salting in my opinion helps to eliminate the bitter taste and leave the eggplant softer and not as tough.
Different types of eggplant
Apparently there are about 12 different types, African Garden Egg, Bianca, Chinese Round Mauve, Graffiti, Indian, Japanese White Egg, Little Green, Ping Tung, Santana, Tango, Thai and of course Italian. To tell the truth I probably haven’t heard or seen 90% of these. I usually use the Globe, Graffiti and Italian the most. For this recipe I used the Italian type.
How to pick the perfect eggplant
It’s best to pick medium to small eggplants they are more tender and contain fewer seeds than the much bigger ones. You are going to find seeds in the eggplant, but no worries you can eat them, just make sure they are white and not black. Black seeds indicate a tougher older vegetable.
The best oil to use
I usually use olive oil, because I really don’t make jars and jars, but my mother-in-law who did, would use a vegetable oil, usually sunflower. To tell the truth olive oil gives it a better taste and you can always use the left over oil for bruschetta or drizzling on meat when you are grilling.
The best canning jars
The best jars to use for canning are jars with screw top lids, I used 3 eggplants for this recipe, and I only got one cup when I was done, but I then immediately went out and purchased another 12 eggplants because we actually forgot just how good it is done this way! And of course be sure to sterilize your jars before use!
How to serve it
I like to serve it with crusty Italian bread as an appetizer, you could also serve it as a side dish with your favourite meat dish. Remember to always keep the eggplant that is remaining in the jar always covered in oil.
How to store it
The jars can be kept in a cool dark pantry and will keep for up to 6 months, be sure to taste and smell before eating, if there is any sign of mold discard. Once open, make sure you cover the eggplant completely in oil before closing and store in the fridge for 5-6 days.
Related Recipes
So if you want to try using up some eggplant this summer why not try this Italian Pickled Eggplant and let me know what you think. Buon Appetito!
Italian Pickled Eggplant
Ingredients
- 3 medium Italian eggplants* (see notes) (6-7 inches) (16-17 cm)
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 5 cups water
- 2 cups white wine vinegar
- 1-2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh Italian parsley (minced)
- 1-2 dashes hot pepper flakes (if desired)
- olive oil (enough to completely cover the eggplant)
Instructions
- Peel and thinly slice the eggplant, I cut it crosswise in three, then thinly sliced them (see photos), do them one at a time, after you have done one, place the cut eggplant in a bowl and toss with 1 teaspoon of salt, continue with each eggplant. Cover the bowl and let sit for 8 hours at room temperature.
- After the 8 hours, drain the liquid (but do not rinse the eggplant) and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible.
- In a big pot bring to a boil the water and white wine vinegar, add the eggplant and boil for about 7-10 minutes or until tender but not mushy, check after 5 minutes. Taste one to make sure it is tender.
- Drain the eggplant and again wring out excess moisture. Place the eggplant in a large bowl and toss with the spices. Spoon into the sterilized jars , leaving at least 3/4 inch of space, then top with oil. Make sure that the eggplant is completely covered with oil, press down on the eggplant to remove any air bubbles and add more oil if necessary before closing the jar. Let sit at least 24 hours before serving. Enjoy!
This is spot on the way my mom made this kind of eggplant. Never knew anyone else knew how to make it. Mom passed away on 1989. I think I’ll try this on my own this summer.
Hi Gloria, yes it is made all the time in Italy. Glad it brought back memories of your Mom. I hope you enjoy it. Take care!
Been using this recipe for about a year and never had a bad batch, with and without skins
Hi Jo, thanks so much, glad you like the recipe. Take care and have a great week!
We made this a few years ago. It was delicious!!! We served it with Italian bread and provolone cheese. It was amazing!!! Making today. Tripling the recipe. Thank you!
Lisa
Hi Lisa, thanks I hope you enjoyed it. I love it with parmesan cheese also. Take care.
I just finished making my pickled eggplant. It looks so good. I can hardly wait to taste it!!!
Hi Ami, thanks I hope you enjoy them. Take care!
Would you know or have a link how to do the bath to preserve longer ? And how long would you say preservation is without the bath . Thanks kindly
Hi Diana, it really doesn’t need a bath because the oil is what preserves it. If you do a water bath what you are doing is cooking the eggplant again in boiling oil. If you want to try it then this is the post where I explain how to do the bath. https://anitalianinmykitchen.com/3-ways-to-preserve-peaches/ . They will probably keep for up to a year with a bath.
I am so excited to try this recipe, it looks amazing!!! Quick question about storing the jars. I read in the post that they can last up to 6 months if left in a cool dark place. Is that true only if they are sealed using the water bath method you provide the link for? Or, will they last six months if just completing the recipe as written? Thank you so much!
Hi Sue, thanks so much, for this there is no need for a water bath because they are under oil and have been pre cooked (al dente), just make sure they are totally under oil, you can use a spoon to push the eggplant down to remove any air bubbles and add more oil if necessary, make sure you use a tight fitting lid, place in a cool dark room. It is also recommended to wait at least 7 days before opening and once open they should be eaten with 3-4 days. Hope that helps. Take care. Let me know how it goes.
When you put salt on the eggplant and let it sit for 8 hours. Do you let it sit on the counter or in the fridge??
Hi Miranda, let it sit at room temperature. I hope you like it. Take care.
Is the 3 tsp of salt added to the jar along with the spices?
Thank you for what looks like a great recipe!
Hi Betty, no the salt is used at the beginning when you place the cut eggplant in a bowl, 1 teaspoon of salt for every eggplant. Hope that helps. Let me know.
Can you reuse the left over oil to make more pickled eggplant? Thanks!
Hi Vivian, to tell the truth I really don’t know and I couldn’t find anything on it. I don’t keep it and I don’t know anyone that does re use it.
Can I used red wine vinegar?
Hi Tom, I really don’t know, I think you probably could, although everyone I asked they said they have never tried it with red wine vinegar. It might add some colour, I don’t think it would really change the taste. Let me know if you do try it.
Hi – do you put the jars in a water bath to process and if so for how long? And how long will they then keep?
Thanks
Hi Anita, here is a link on how to sterilize jars, I jar them and then we eat it, hope it helps. https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_01/sterile_jars.html
For the Italian Pickled Eggplant, did the final step involve processing the eggplant using the hot water bath method?
Hi Deborah, if you want to conserve them yes it is necessary, I don’t because we eat them immediately. https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_01/sterile_jars.html Hope this helps.
this looks delicious, quick question, if I want to can this, how long do you process it. I believe there is enough acidity in it to use the water bath method. Eggplants are in season so that would be a perfect way to preserved them
thanks!
Hi Karine, I think no matter if you plan on canning you should definitely follow the correct method (as linked in the post). You never know. Have a great weekend.
Hi ma’am,
I have added some garlic and herbs after bottling it, when I added the oil, just to add the flavours. I also heat sterilized the closed bottles afterward to deal with any botulism or other stuff that might let it go off.
Regards,
Johan Nel
Hi Johan, thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it. Have a great week.
We loved your recipe and I used olive oil it tasted amazing. The only thing was I covered the remaining eggplant in the jar with olive oil and refrigerated it. The next day the olive oil was hard and looked like grease. Is there a certain olive oil I should use so that doesn’t happen or just use vegetable oil? Do I have to refrigerate it? I would definitely make your recipe again.
Hi Venezia, yes all oil will do that, you can leave it out and it will come to normal. So maybe a couple of hours before eating remove it from the fridge. Hope that helps, and thanks glad you enjoy the recipes.
But when you let it sit 8 hours on the counter or the fridge
Hi Daniel, well the jars are sealed so it sits at room temperature, once it is opened it gets refrigerated. Let me how it goes.
Try using a combo of olive oil and sunflower or safflower oil. It has a lower freezing point so wont harden as much