Padma Lakshmi on Instagram: "Though not necessary for every recipe – salting your eggplant and letting it drain before cooking can help enhance the texture and flavor, especially if you plan to fry or roast it! All you have to do is slice, salt, and let sit for at least 30 minutes. And yes it can also help ameliorate some bitterness but japanese@ones tend not to be so bitter. Cannot wait to cook these beautiful eggplants."