Hello, again, Martha, Eggplant, can, indeed, be bitter, if it is not salted and rinsed, to get rid of the bitter juices. Some cookbooks say it is not necessary, but I find it IS necessary, unless you have very fresh young Italian eggplants, right out of the garden (and, then, I salt and rinse them anyway, because my wife finds them bitter, otherwise.) I would be delighted to find new recipes for eggplant; but in case this is becoming too much for some on the list, please feel free to send them to me offline, and I will be happy to reciprocate. Thanks again, Ron