Eggplant can certainly be flavorful if prepared correctly, but its flavor is most enjoyable when accompanied by the right seasonings. As with most savory vegetables, you will find that some seasonings and flavor-enhancing ingredients work better than others. Which? Here is a look at some of the best eggplant spices.
Table of Contents
- Parmesan cheese
- Basil
- Garlic
- Nutmeg
- Onions
- Cinnamon
- Olive oil
- Cayenne pepper
- Cumin
- Tahini
- Must-read related posts
Parmesan cheese
Parmesan cheese is a type of cheese for which the Parma region in Italy is best known. It shows up in several eggplant recipes, including the classic moussaka. It is known for its ability to enhance umami notes due to its high glutamate content, along with its strong cheesy tang and richness.
Basil
One of the most popular members of the mint family, basil, shows up in a lot of tomato-based dishes, including eggplant parmigiana. The licorice and citrus notes from fresh basil go well with tomato sauces and other spices that you might see in a parmigiana. All of which and richness to the flavor and mouthfeel of eggplant. You will also see fresh basil in ratatouille.
Garlic
Not every eggplant dish contains garlic, but it dramatically enhances the ones that do. Garlic is one of the world’s most popular Alliums and is known for its earthiness and pungency and its ability to enhance umami notes in a vast range of dishes.
Garlic is one of the key ingredients in one of the most beloved eggplant dishes: baba ganoush, a Lebanese eggplant spread/dip similar to hummus. It is also an important ingredient in ratatouille’s flavor profile.
Nutmeg
While it is not often seen in savory dishes in the United States and Northern Europe, nutmeg is a key ingredient in moussaka. This South Indian spice offers a strong nuttiness and fragrant sweetness that gives the Greek eggplant casserole its distinctive set of flavors and aromas.
Onions
Arguably the best-known and most widely enjoyed member of the allium family, onions come in many different forms and show up in many savory dishes around the world. Onions are an incredibly popular seasoning for meat dishes. Moussaka is one of the dishes that include both eggplant and meat. The umami properties of onions intensify eggplant’s meatiness.
Cinnamon
Another one of the spices not always associated with savory foods, cinnamon does make a showing in some moussaka recipes due to that dish’s reliance on sweet and fragrant spices. It not only does an excellent job of complementing the gaminess of lamb (which is the meat of choice in the most authentic Greek moussaka recipes), but it also pairs nicely with the eggplant.
Olive oil
While it is not technically a spice, it is as important to the flavor profiles of many eggplant dishes as any other seasoning here. Since many of the most popular eggplant dishes are baked rather than fried, smoke point won’t be an issue in most cases, so extra virgin olive oil — the most flavorful olive oil — will be your best bet.
Extra virgin olive oil enhances eggplant dishes with strong grassy notes with hints of pepper. You will see it used in eggplant parmigiana, baba ganoush, and ratatouille.
Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper can be a great spice to use with eggplant, depending on your personal taste preferences. It adds a bit of heat and spice to the dish, which can balance out the sometimes earthy and mild flavor of eggplant. Use as much or as little as your spice tolerance can handle.
Cumin
Cumin is commonly found in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, which often includes eggplant in their dishes. It has a warm and earthy flavor that complements eggplant quite well. It also has a smoky aroma that adds depth and complexity to any dish in which it’s used.
Tahini
Made from ground sesame seeds, tahini enhances the mouthfeel of baba ganoush in addition to perfectly complementing the flavor of eggplant. It also pairs well with other important ingredients like olive oil and garlic.
Must-read related posts
- Cinnamon Vs. Nutmeg: How do these two aromatic spices compare?
- Too Much Cumin? Here’s how to fix your dish.
- Fresh Garlic Vs. Garlic Powder: How do they differ in flavor? Pungency?