Rinse the eggplants under cool running water. Pat dry with a clean kitchen towel. With a serrated knife, cut off the top. Peel the eggplants with a vegetable peeler.
Cut into round slices about ⅜-½ inch (9.5 to 1.3 cm) thick. Then, stack these slices together. Cut them into sticks, about ⅜-½ inch (9.5 to 1.3 cm) thick. Feel free to adjust the thickness according to your preference.
As you transfer the eggplants into a colander, sprinkle picking salt on each layer for an even coating. Once all the eggplants are cut, give it one final toss.
Set the colander over a large bowl. Place a plate or bowl on top of the salted eggplants. Add some weight (like a can of oil) to press down. Let it sit at room temperature for a minimum of 3 hours or up to 24 hours to drain any bitterness and excess moisture.
PICKLING THE EGGPLANTS:
Combine the vinegar and water in a large stainless steel pot. Bring to a boil.
Give them eggplants one last gentle squeeze. Then, add all of them to the boiling vinegar solution. Let them blanch for 60-90 seconds, being careful not to overcook them as we want to retain some texture.
Transfer the blanched eggplants into a colander. Allow them to drain for 30 minutes, flipping them over occasionally to cool them down. Give them a gentle squeeze to remove the excess moisture.
FLAVOR INFUSION:
While the eggplants are cooling, thinly slice 3 garlic cloves. We will also need chili flakes. You can adjust the amount of garlic and omit the chili flakes if you prefer a milder flavor. Feel free to prepare additional herbs and spices to your liking.
PACKING AND PRESERVING:
Before packing the eggplants into jars, drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil to coat the inside of clean, sanitized Mason jars.
Pack the blanched eggplants into jars, layering them with the sliced garlic and chili flakes.
Pour olive oil into the jars, to completely submerge the eggplants. To eliminate air pockets, use a wooden skewer to release trapped air and let the oil seep in. Repeat if more air bubbles form.
Secure the lids and rings tightly on the jars.
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Notes
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used.