Ah, the age-old question: To salt or not to salt the eggplant and why. Reduce Bitterness: Older eggplants can sometimes have a bitter taste. Salting them can help draw out some of that bitterness. Remove Excess Moisture: Salting also helps remove excess moisture, resulting in a less soggy, more firm texture when cooking. Our Take: Given that many modern eggplant varieties are bred to be less bitter, salting is often optional. If you're using fresh, young eggplants, you can probably skip this step without any culinary regrets. However, if you're aiming for a firmer texture or are working with an older, potentially bitter eggplant, then go ahead and salt away! So, it's your call! Whether you're Team Salt or Team No-Salt, you're still in for a delicious dish.