Eggplant

Get to know eggplant!

When is they seasonal? Summer to fall 

Varieties: 

  • Globe / American Eggplant: usually what you see in the supermarket; darker color; their wider size and tougher texture makes them ideal for slicing; most commonly used to make eggplant parm

  • Fairy Tale Eggplant: small, violet color with white stripes; creamier and sweeter in flavor; smaller size makes them good for sautéing, grilling and stir-frying

  • Chinese Eggplant: lighter in color; slender and sweeter in taste, which makes them good for quicker cooking methods like sautéing, grilling and stir-frying

Nutrition: Eggplants are high in fiber, manganese, folate, potassium, vitamin K and vitamin C.  They are also high in antioxidants, which can help reduce risk of chronic diseases like cancer.

Culinary Basics: Once cooked eggplant turns into a creamy, soft texture with a mild sweet, nutty flavor. You can slice and saute it, roast in the oven, or cook on the grill. Look to Chinese, Italian or Middle Eastern to see how they use eggplant!