Eggplant is that small group of vegetables that are unsuitable for eating raw, so you must cook it for food. Especially common is various eggplant appetizer recipes which can be found in almost all cookbooks. In the south of Russia, the eggplant received the affectionate name "blue." This is a nightshade plant, a close relative of potatoes and tomatoes. Now it’s hard to say which of the countries of the world was his homeland, perhaps this is India, and maybe the Middle East or South Asia.
In Europe, it was only in the 15th century that they knew that there is such a plant - eggplant, but for a long time the possibility of preparing it and eating it was not accessible to understanding. Obviously it was believed that eggplant in a Chinese recipe which is widely used in Chinese cuisine, is completely exotic dishes not for eating normal food. Therefore, in Europe they began to grow them only in the 19th century, and various appetizers from eggplant recipes came to the houses of Europeans even later, almost in the 20th century.
However, the valuable properties of eggplant have done their job, the biologically active substances contained in them lead to the fact that when they are eaten, they have a positive effect on the functioning of various body systems, the state of blood vessels and the activity of the heart. This prevents the development of atherosclerosis, cleanses the biliary tract and intestines, helps the kidneys. Modern nutritionists recommend eating many dishes from them that have useful properties, for example, eggplant appetizer recipes which are used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, as they help to remove accumulated "bad" cholesterol from the body.
Introducing one of the most common recipes for their preparation. You need to take four not very large eggplant, three green bell peppers, three small tomatoes, a few cloves of garlic and mayonnaise. Eggplant should be cut lengthwise, then fry on both sides in olive or sunflower oil. Finely chop green pepper and tomatoes, pepper with ground pepper and salt to taste. Squeeze the garlic and mix it with mayonnaise. With this mixture, it is good to grease the fried eggplant, put a filling of green pepper and tomato on each slice on top, then roll all the slices into rolls.
Such a common eggplant appetizer recipes can have different. The filling can be replaced with other ingredients, for example, add grated cheese with mayonnaise mixed with squeezed garlic. The main thing in these recipes is the eggplant slices fried in vegetable oil. This wonderful vegetable attracts many nations of the world; eggplant recipes can be found in cuisines of different countries. A special love for them is manifested in the Caucasus, in Georgia, and also eastern cuisine is not without them. It is in the wise East that this vegetable is considered to give longevity to a person, therefore, dishes from it are recommended to be used by people in old age.
In Russia, the recipe for eggplant caviar has spread. The amount of ingredients for it can be chosen to taste, usually onions, carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, parsley and garlic are added to eggplant. All this is crushed and then stewed or fried in vegetable oil. All eggplant appetizer recipes have passed the test of time. Before use, it is recommended to soak the eggplants in cold water so that characteristic bitterness comes out of them. If this is not done, then dishes prepared from them will have a light bitter taste, and this is not entirely good. Dishes from these vegetables will look great also on the festive table, they can be cooked stuffed, made from them rolls, served baked and cook a lot of various snacks.