This deliciously spicy baked eggplant is so easy to cook! Eggplant is so versatile. Not only does it come in so many different colors, shapes and sizes, but can also be cooked in so many ways. You can roast, smoke, bake, grill, smoke or sauté it. Turns out great any way you cook it!
Community Garden
A couple of years back, a friend got me interested in organic gardening at a community garden near our neighborhood. I had always toyed with the idea of growing my own produce. This ‘farm-to-table’ concept where I’m truly in control of what I consume, sounded very exciting! Despite having no idea how I would go about this task, I signed up for a 30 sq. ft. plot (for $50 a year)! I was told that a master gardener would help me out but I could not speak with her, until much later.
Growing Produce
I just went over to the nearest Lowe’s and purchased some tomato, eggplant and chili pepper plants and started planting. Making two trips a week to the garden to water my plants, became a routine. It’s amazing how fast these plants grow! In about 4 weeks, I started seeing these lovely vegetables popping up. The one problem I did not anticipate, was the problem of plenty. I realized that my garden was producing a lot more than we could consume. Eggplants started growing out of my ears – I had to try new recipes!
Eggplants from my garden
Vegan, Spicy, Baked Eggplant
So, I decided to try this baked recipe. Contrary to what you might think, eggplant doesn’t cook all that fast. Especially the more mature variety with lots of seeds. So, depending on what variety of eggplant you want to bake, you will need to adjust the temperature and cook time. With baking, you should also keep checking occasionally to ensure you do not overcook or burn. I think this baked eggplant recipe is one of the easiest you can attempt! Just sprinkle all the ingredients, spray oil and bake!
Eggplants contain flavonoids, such as anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments that have many health benefits that help give the eggplant its well-known, dark purple color. The skin of the eggplant is rich in antioxidants, fiber, potassium, and magnesium.
Did you know that eggplants are called the King of Vegetables? I suspect it is because of the crown-like structure on the top. If eggplants are your thing, check out our other eggplant recipes:
- Baingan Bartha- Roasted Eggplant Curry
- Fresh Fenugreek Eggplant Sauté
- Roasted Eggplant & Tomato Chutney
- Broad Bean Eggplant Sauté
- Eggplant Potato Spicy Medley
- Baba Ghanoush
- Spicy Cilantro Ginger Eggplant Sauté
- Spicy, Tangy, Stuffed Eggplant
- Smoky Eggplant Chutney
Also check out some of our savory baked recipes here:
- Crunchy Baked Plantain Chips
- Baked Okra
- Spiced Purple Sweet Potato-Cauliflower Bake
- Crispy, Delicious, Banana Nuggets
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Vegan, Spicy, Baked Eggplant
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Cups Eggplant - Cut into wedges
- 1 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic - Powdered
- 1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Onion - Powdered
- 1 Tablespoon Avocado Oil - Spray
- 1/2 Teaspoon Himalayan Pink Salt - (or to taste)
Instructions
- Wash and slice eggplant into wedges. Lay pieces on a foil in a baking tray.
- Spray avocado oil evenly across all pieces. Sprinkle salt, cayenne pepper, turmeric, garlic and onion powder. Spray oil again.
- Cover tray with foil. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Set the baking tray in the oven and allow the contents to bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for 5 more minutes. Broil on 'high' for 5 minutes. Keep checking to ensure there is no burning.
- Transfer to a plate or bowl and serve hot.
