Eggplant Recipe with Ramen Noodles

Since we joined the Gamble Creek Farm CSA two seasons ago, my wife has been preparing eggplant as a normal part of our meal planning.  Now that we're also growing Ichiban eggplant in our backyard, we eat eggplant more than ever.  Here's a recipe she found in Everyday Food Magazine, that is one of my favorite ways she prepares a simple, quick, easy, but tasty eggplant meal. She substitutes Ramen Noodles instead of lo mein noodles. (I think the Ramen noodle version is better.)

8 ounces lo mein noodles
2 T. soy sauce
1 T. toasted sesame oil
1 t. light-brown sugar
4 t. vegetable oil
1/2 lb. Japanese or other small eggplant, halved lengthwise and sliced 1/4 inch thick
5 scallions, white and green parts separated and thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 c. fresh basil leaves, torn for serving

Cook noodles according to package instructions; drain noodles and rinse with cold water. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar and stir until sugar dissolves.

Heat a large skillet or wok over high until hot. Add 3 teaspoons vegetable oil and swirl to coat skillet. Add eggplant and stir until golden on both sides (4 minutes total). Push eggplant to side of skillet and add 1 teaspoon oil. Add scallion whites and garlic stir (30 seconds). Add noodles and soy mixture and toss to combine all the ingredients. Top with scallion greens and basil before serving.

Upside Down Japanese Eggplant

I've been growing eggplant in an upside down hanging planter marketed for tomato plants.  I'm not a fan of tomato unless it's in ketchup, but I'm becoming more fond of eggplant each year.

I am growing the ichiban variety because it is more tolerate of hot weather and although it's still spring time in Florida, we've had several days in the 90's already.  The ichiban have taken the hot weather very well.  We had three of them in the pictures below for last night's supper and all were very good.

I've had bad luck growing classic eggplant in my raised bed garden, but that is primarily due to a lack of cold weather protection in the fall of the year.  I learned that ichiban can take more hot weather, so from now on I'll be growing ichiban eggplant. 

I'm not sure it's plainly visible in the pictures, but about 30% of my eggplant succumbed to the pesky little devil known as the tomato horn worm, which obviously also like to snack on eggplant.  :o)

Upside Down Eggplant

Here's my first eggplant growing in the upside down planter I purchased.  It's growing well.  Today I noticed the first blooms.

Egg plant growing upside down

If you look closely you'll see a little condensation on the outside of the canvas grow bag.