Here is a fact that my husband simply cannot understand: His wife does not like eggplant, especially the common globe type of eggplant. He can dip it in batter, fry it and bake it as a Moussaka, and I don't care how much sauce it's covered with, I won't eat it. Lately, he's been chopping up the eggplant in tiny pieces and sneaking it into spaghetti sauce, like I won't know the difference. And I don't.
Japanese eggplant, the long, thin, purple type is moderately passable for me when sliced in half lengthwise, cut through crisscrossed to the skin, salted, sprinkled with olive oil and grilled over a hot flame. But I prefer other vegetables grilled such as asparagus (generally available only in the spring) or peppers.
Until I tasted white eggplant, I could get by without ever eating eggplant again. The white eggplant almost melts in your mouth. The skin is a little chewy, but the flesh is creamy and sweet. We are growing white eggplant in our back-yard garden in Land Park. From seed. And it's producing a big crop, as you can see from the photo above.
You know why you can't buy white eggplant in the store? Because it bruises too easily and doesn't travel well. Grocery shoppers won't buy bruised fruit, and the purple type doesn't show bruises. That's too bad, because I suspect many people will never get a chance to try white eggplant. If you live near an organic farm, though, maybe.
Next year, why not try planting something different in your yard? Let me know if you grow white eggplant what you think of it. I'm betting you will love it. Even if you don't like eggplant.
Photo: Elizabeth Weintraub
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Broker-Associate at Lyon RE. Selling since 1974, helping buyers & sellers in Sacramento. Land Park resident. Midtown office. Home Buying Columnist for New York Times' About.com. DRE license #00697006
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Elizabeth: I am intrigued by the white eggplant. I love the purple eggplant. If we end up getting a garden together next year, this will definitely be in it.
I will definitely plant some. I grew purple ones this year. I also grew heirloom tomatoes had some purple ones and some green tiger striped ones. The taste was fabulous. But in October in Georgia... greens and melons and winter squash are the only things still growing. Frost will get them soon as well.
Elizabeth, you are coming up with incredible creative things to post on. I'm so inspired and yet can't even begin to produce on this level. How fun are your post? A 10 for sure!
We can add eggplant and brussel sprouts to the list of things I can live without. :)
Hi Chris: Well, you might look online for the seeds because it's hard to find eggplant seeds at a nursery. Although, you could probably special order plants, which would give you a jump start on the season.
Hi Tammy: We get frost in Sacramento, too, but generally not until January, and only for a few days. I'm amazed every year that my fuschia survive cold spells.
Hi Jeanean: Aw, heck, I write only what I know about. Whatever pops into my head at the moment.
Hi Jesse: I don't like brussel sprouts, either. My husband swore up and down that's because I hadn't tried fresh brussel sprouts, so last year he grew some. To be fair, home-grown brussel sprouts did taste a little better, but they were still brussel sprouts and nothing could disguise that fact, LOL.
Elizabeth that looks very interesting. I have never seen white eggplant before. Will have to try some.
I'm betting you would like it, Fred. If you ever get a chance to participate in an organic farm tour that also offers lunch, you could probably get white eggplant there. The Slow Food Movement often has dinner events, too, where you might find it.
Elizabeth - I really like eggplant but have never tried the white. I wonder if I can find some around here... :)
Elizabeth- I have never heard of white eggplant. Looks interesting and now I will have to go out and search my local farmers markets and speciality stores to find some. Thanks for sharing this with us. Nice change of pace from real estate!
Best,
Scott
Hi Debi: Well, if you're truly an eggplant lover, then you will fall head over heels for the white. Even if it has blemishes from being bonked, it's still really good.
Hi Scott: I can't always talk about real estate, you know; sometimes it's good to get a glimpse of something else in an agent's life, I suspect. Even though it may seem like I live, breathe and eat real estate, I do garden from time to time. :)
Elizabeth, great post! I have never seen a white eggplant before, that is really awesome.
First of all Elizabeth great photo of the white eggplant! And as a vegetarian, I hate eggplant too! I have to tell you I've never seen this species of the vegetable.
I did grow a deep purple pepper that had a slight bitter and peppery flavor that was pretty good. I'll definetly hunt down that white eggplant next year and make room for it in my garden. Thanks for this post!!
Hi Tanya: I think it's pretty. Much prettier than the purple ones.
Hi Cynthia: It took a long time for the eggplant to get big enough to develop roots, so you might want to consider planting it indoors first.
Elizabeth - I like roasted eggplant, or eggplant parmesan and especially moussaka. Have never had the white eggplant, I will have to try and find some somewhere or at least get the seeds. Thanks for enlightening me.
Elizabeth, I agree. I the white ones make me more apt to try eggplant. I have been scared of the purple ones. lol
Hi Mike and Tanya: I liked grilled eggplant, stuffed with garlic, salted and drizzled in olive oil. But only the Japanese eggplant, not the big purple ones. :)
Elizabeth, sounds great. I will have to check to see if they have any on this side of the world next time I go shopping.