Little Green Eggplant This heirloom variety is plump and round with a pale green-colored skin. It has a mild flavor and cooks up extra creamy. It can be used in any recipe that calls for regular eggplant.
Are small eggplants good to eat?
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.
Are mini 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.
Which eggplant is the sweetest?
And their colors range from white to stripy purple or from deep purple to green. The shinier eggplants are, the fresher they are. The fresher and younger they are, the sweeter they are.
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.
What are tiny eggplants called?
The baby eggplant, also known as Indian eggplant, fits into the palm of your hand and is an exciting single serve eggplant with a little menu creativity. These small green eggplants are called Thai eggplant, and are perfect in Thai curry dishes.
What is the best tasting 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.
Why do you soak eggplant in water before cooking?
Many recipes call for salting and rinsing eggplant before cooking it to draw out its bitterness. Brining can be used instead and has the added advantage of helping the eggplant keep its shape when it’s cooked, whether your recipe calls for baking, frying, or grilling.
Why do some people dislike eggplant?
Many people do not like eggplant. Common complaints are that it is spongy, or bitter, or mushy. All of these are symptoms of improper cooking. Because, friends, when eggplant is cooked properly it can achieve something few other fruits or vegetables (it is technically a fruit) can: It is DECADENT.
How do I make sure my eggplant is not bitter?
If you are worried that the eggplant might be bitter, slice or cube it, then salt it liberally and allow it to drain for an hour or so before cooking. Putting salt on the eggplant triggers osmosis, which draws out excess moisture and the bitterness along with it.
Can you eat raw eggplant?
Can You Eat Eggplant Raw? Luckily, the answer is yes! While the leaves and flowers can be toxic, the eggplant itself is safe to consume both raw and cooked, and the compound that some might be sensitive to, solanine, is only toxic when consumed in large quantities.
Which eggplant is best for cooking?
Stir-Fried Eggplant With Basil and Chiles
Look for Japanese and Chinese eggplants for this stir-fry recipe. They are thinner, longer, and less bitter than other varieties and become creamy-tender with minimal cooking.
Are eggplants good for you?
Eggplant has antioxidants like vitamins A and C, which help protect your cells against damage. It’s also high in natural plant chemicals called polyphenols, which may help cells do a better job of processing sugar if you have diabetes.
Is eggplant good for heart failure?
Since eggplant is high in fiber, that makes it great for a heart-healthy diet. High fiber diets may reduce the risk of heart disease. It also contains: Manganese.
Can you eat eggplant skin?
While the skin of a small young eggplant is edible, the skin becomes bitter on larger or older eggplants and should be peeled. When in doubt, the answer to, “Do you peel eggplant before cooking?” is yes, peel it.
What does eggplant taste like?
Eggplant has a flavor similar to summer squash or zucchini: tender, mild, and sweet with a slight vegetal bitterness. Eggplant will absorb the flavor of whatever it’s cooked with. Its texture is firm and spongy when raw, and meltingly tender when cooked (especially fried, smoked, or braised).
How big do mini eggplants get?
2 to 3 in.
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.
Are there mini eggplants?
There are many eggplant varieties that are oddly shaped, vary in flavor and offer different colors, from purple to green, to white or striped. Miniature eggplants develop as the same meaty fruits, at a reasonable size to fit any growing space.
What does Chinese eggplant taste like?
Chinese eggplants are long and thin with vibrant lavender skin and white flesh, and can appear either crooked or straight. They taste mildly sweet and hold up when cooked.
What is the difference between Japanese eggplant and regular 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.
Why are eggplants called eggplants?
Those plants flowered and grew small white and oval fruits that looked just like chicken eggs. British gardeners named these “egg-plants” for their attractive appearance on plants they entered in competitions.