Indian Eggplant Also called baby eggplants, these adorable nightshades resemble grapes or cherries. They have a dark, reddish-purple color and a round shape.
What is the difference between eggplant and baby eggplant?
Baby or Italian eggplant
Similar in colour and shape to the common eggplant, the baby eggplant is much smaller – almost a miniature version. It has a more delicate skin than the larger variety.
Is there a miniature eggplant?
Compact plants produce baby-size eggplants early and often. Equally at home in a container or in the garden, Patio Baby yields purple-black fruits that are 2 to 3 in. (5 to 7 cm) long and about 1 in. (2.5 cm) in diameter.
What are the different eggplants?
Characterized by their long, narrow shape, both Japanese and Chinese eggplant can be hard to differentiate. Japanese eggplant tends to have a much deeper purple color, while Chinese eggplant is usually lighter, more lavender-purple, and is sometimes even longer.
What are the different names of eggplants?
eggplant, (Solanum melongena), also called aubergine or Guinea squash, tender perennial plant of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), grown for its edible fruits.
Can you eat small eggplant?
Baby eggplants are a delight to eat. But you can leave them too long. Eggplant should be harvested when they are one-third to two-thirds full mature size.
What are the long skinny eggplants called?
Chinese Eggplant
1. Chinese Eggplant. The Chinese eggplant — not to be confused with the similar-looking Japanese eggplant — has a long, narrow body with a light to mid-toned purple exterior and white flesh. Because it has fewer seeds that the familiar globe (American) variety, it’s less bitter in taste.
How big are mini aubergines?
5-7cm
Compact, bushy plants produce bumper crops of mini Aubergines that are perfect for baking or roasting whole. Each purple skinned fruit measures 5-7cm with a sweet and gentle flavour.
How do you grow small eggplant?
How to Plant Eggplant. Start seeds indoors, sowing them ¼ of an inch deep in flats or peat pots. After risk of the last spring frost has passed and daytime temperatures are 70° to 75°F (60° to 65°F at night), set seedlings in holes 24 to 30 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart.
What is the tastiest eggplant?
Sweet, tender, flavorful and creamy, Fairy Tale are simply the best eggplants we’ve ever tasted,” says Taylor. This quick-cooking variety is so delicious that it doesn’t even need to be salted. Taylor suggests slicing them lengthwise, then tossing them into stir-fries or sautés, or skewering them on the grill.
What is the difference between eggplant and Italian eggplant?
Italian eggplants are like smaller, slightly sweeter, versions of globe eggplants that still maintain a thick, spongy texture. The sweeter notes in Italian eggplant work well with salty and umami flavors, such as those in meat or cheese, making them perfect for an eggplant Parmesan or a layered dish like lasagna.
Are baby eggplants bitter?
A young, freshly picked eggplant with smooth, glossy skin and intense color will have no bitterness whatsoever if consumed soon after picking. Old or overripe eggplants or those that are off color or sit out for a while after being harvested are more likely to exhibit a bitter flavor.
What’s the difference between eggplant and aubergine?
Aubergine is a French word, used primarily in Europe to refer to an eggplant. The name, which is actually the original term (not eggplant), refers to its color. Aubergine meant “purple-brownish color” in French, which is quite suitable.
What do they call eggplant in Italy?
Melanzane
Melanzane, or eggplant, is a staple of Southern Italian cooking.
Why is it called aubergine?
Eggplants are called aubergines in Europe because it is the French word for this vegetable. When European settlers originally brought the eggplant to the United States, they brought a white version and these egg-shaped, pale vegetables inspired the name “eggplant” because they looked like goose eggs.
What are baby eggplants?
Baby eggplants, botanically classified as Solanum melongena, are a member of the nightshade family along with tomatoes and potatoes. The term “baby” in Baby eggplant refers to its petite size and not the maturity level of the eggplant.
Why do you soak eggplant before cooking?
Soak eggplant slices or cubes in milk for about 30 minutes before cooking. The milk not only tempers the bitterness, but it actually makes for eggplant that is extra creamy, since the vegetable acts like a sponge and soaks up a good amount of milk in its flesh.
Why are my eggplants so small?
Why are my plants so small and growing slowly? Eggplants are sensitive to the cold. Either a transplant has been planted into cold soil, or a young plant has experienced cold weather, or a transplant that became root bound before being planted may be stunted for a short while or for the full growing season.
Which is the sweetest eggplant?
Italian Eggplant
Italian Eggplant
They tend to have a sweeter flavor than globe eggplant. They aren’t officially Italian but are labeled as Italian in the U.S. and used in Italian recipes, such as eggplant Parmesan and melanzane fritte al pomodoro, fried eggplant in tomato sauce.
How many different types of eggplants are there?
18 Different Types of Eggplant.
What is the difference between Japanese and Italian eggplant?
The smaller version of the larger purple skinned eggplant is often called Italian or baby eggplant. These have a somewhat more intense flavor and the flesh is much more tender. The straight thin eggplants known as Japanese or Asian eggplant have thin delicate skins like Italian eggplant but the flesh is sweeter.