Dinner Tonight: Pez De Tierra (Eggplant Fries)
The recipe translates as “Land Fish”, which I’m sure has a storied history. But I like to think of them as eggplant fries, however wrong that must be. I just wanted to toss them in a cardboard container and scoop them up three at a time.
I’m not sure if this is what the author wanted. There is only a passing remark to the fast food side, saying to cut the eggplant “as for french fries.” They are really looking for fat wedges. But I think they taste better the smaller and more fry-like they become. They become super crisp, but still juicy and full flavored. And unlike their potato counterparts, these “fries” only require one dip in the oil and are done in about 2 minutes. That’s something I’d be far more willing to do on weeknight, no matter what it is called.
Pez De Tierra (Eggplant Fries)
- makes 2 servings -
Adapted from My Kitchen in Spain
Ingredients:
1 medium eggplant
1/3 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 1/2 cups olive oil
Salt and pepper
Procedure:
1. Heat the oil in a large iron skillet over a medium flame, until the temperature is 360°F.
2. Peel the eggplant and cut into french fries.
3. Combine the flour with cumin. Toss the eggplant to coat.
4. Fry the eggplant for about two minutes, or until browned. I liked mine a little crispier. But that’s just me.
5. Sprinkle with salt and pepper while still hot!
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10 Comments:
so simple but something i've never thought to do with eggplant. must try!
lexophile at 4:15PM on 11/09/07
this looks delish. would salting (and rinsing) the eggplant first be recommended for this, to get out some of the bitterness? I do that for eggplant parm...
miz_dj at 4:36PM on 11/09/07
Mmmm, eggplant fries.
Janet Mendel's book is lovely, both to cook from and to read.
Cathy at 5:06PM on 11/09/07
i used to work in a restaurant where they would quckly deep fry fresh slices of eggplant, seriously almost better than sex. can i say that on here?
protest at 5:12PM on 11/09/07
Of course you can.
Ed Levine at 6:54PM on 11/09/07
What a great idea...never heard of eggplant fries before!
Steamy Kitchen at 9:34AM on 11/10/07
A restaurant here in Atlanta serves eggplant fries with hot sauce and (wait for it) confectioner's sugar sprinkled on top. Sounds bizarre I know but they are delicious...
parkershepps at 3:44PM on 11/10/07
Enjoyed a very tasty version of eggplant fries at a restaurant in Beijing several years back; ingredients included Szechuan peppercorn and very finely minced garlic.
John the Yum at 11:24AM on 11/11/07
Sounds yummy! Eggplant is a major food group at my house, eaten at least once a week, as a main course.
When I was young New Orleanians ate eggplant fritters with a dusting of confectioners sugar as a side. I have not seen them in a restaurent or at someone's home, including mine, in at least 30 years. I think they would go nicely with the baked rigatoni and breaded veal cutlets I was planning to serve this Sunday. Funny how dishes fall out of favor.
NO_Pam at 11:36AM on 11/12/07
I am so making this dish this week. I have a beautiful eggplant that will work great for this.
What kind of dipping sauce would be good? Or is it not necessary?
anderkr1 at 5:22PM on 08/10/08