How can I prepare eggplant so that it's not bitter?

Eggplant is a versatile vegetable that is commonly used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. However, one of the biggest challenges of cooking eggplant is its bitterness. Fortunately, there are several ways to prepare eggplant to reduce or eliminate its bitter taste. Here are some tips:

• Choose a fresh eggplant that is firm and shiny with no bruises or soft spots. Older eggplants tend to be more bitter.
• Salt the eggplant before cooking to remove some of the bitter juices. Slice the eggplant into rounds, sprinkle with salt and let sit for 30 minutes. Rinse the salt off and pat dry with a paper towel before cooking.
• Soak sliced eggplant in milk for 30 minutes before cooking. The milk can help to neutralize some of the bitterness.
• Cook the eggplant with acidic ingredients such as tomatoes, lemon juice, or vinegar. Acidic ingredients can help to counteract the bitter taste.
• Peel the skin off the eggplant. The skin tends to be more bitter than the flesh, so removing it can help to reduce the bitterness.