Hello!!!
I think I agree with you, I never liked the eggplant as my grandmother prepared it, she made it fried, but I did not like the taste either.
But, as an adult a lady of Russian origin explained to me how to prepare it as a mixture of vegetables with spices, and my friend: It's wonderful.

It also happened to me with okra, I found it slimy and tasteless, but after other recipes, the change in taste and texture are quite noticeable.

So I don't doubt that you could change your mind if you just change the recipe.