Purple Eggplant

Estimated Inventory, 18 ct : 29.25
This item was last sold on : 02/22/25

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Description/Taste

Purple eggplants are large, oval-shaped vegetables with a bulbous bottom that slightly narrows towards their green-stemmed top. They measure about 18 to 25 centimeters long and 5 to 12 centimeters wide and have a dark purple-black hue with occasional faint patches of lighter purple. Their thin skin is smooth and shiny, requiring peeling in order to remove. Purple eggplants’ cream-colored flesh has a firm, spongy texture that becomes meltingly tender as it cooks and contains many small edible seeds. Purple eggplants have a mild and sweet flavor with a slight vegetal bitterness.

Seasons/Availability

Purple eggplants are available year-round with a peak season in summer.

Current Facts

Purple eggplants are botanically classified as Solanum melongena and belong to the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family along with potatoes, bell peppers, chilis, and tomatoes. They are technically fruits because they have seeds but are often labeled as vegetables because of how they are used in culinary applications. Purple eggplants are the most common cultivar in the Western world, with many varieties such as Chinese, Fairytale, Sicilian, Indian, Italian, Japanese, and Rosa Bianca eggplants. While most of these varieties are solid purple, others may be covered with varying degrees of white stripes. Although purple is the more common color, eggplants got their name because white varieties resemble eggs. This vegetable is referred to as Terung in Indonesia, Brinjal in Malaysia, Aubergine in France, and Alberengena in Spain. While Purple eggplants are primarily valued for their culinary uses, varieties like Solanum aethiopicum, also known as African eggplants or Pumpkin on a Stick, are grown mainly for their ornamental appeal.

Nutritional Value

The fiber in Purple eggplants supports digestion, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and promotes heart health by lowering cholesterol. The potassium in these vegetables is essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure, supporting muscle function, and reducing risk of stroke. Their vitamin C content acts as a powerful antioxidant, boosting the immune system and aiding in the repair and growth of tissues. Vitamin B-6 in eggplants plays a crucial role in brain development and function, as well as in the production of serotonin and norepinephrine, which regulates mood. Purple eggplants contain nasunin, an anthocyanin found in the skin that has potent antioxidant properties, protecting brain cells from oxidative stress and potentially slowing cognitive decline.

Applications

Purple eggplants are best suited for cooked applications such as grilling, pan frying, baking, sauteéing, and roasting. They are popularly breaded and fried into eggplant parmesan or used in pasta, stir-fries, pizzas, calzones, sandwiches, and casseroles. These vegetables are incorporated into foods across the world like ratatouille in France, moussaka in Greece, and baba ganoush in the Middle East. Purple eggplants can also be slow cooked in stews with rice, meats, vegetables, lentils, and noodles. They pair well with tomatoes, squashes, peppers, stewed meats, grilled and baked fish, chicken, chickpeas, lentils, basil, mint, cilantro, parsley, and mozzarella cheese. Purple eggplants will keep for up to three days when stored in a cool and dry place.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

In Northern Europe, eggplants were once called mad apples because they were thought to turn people insane. This was partially because their color caused them to be associated with a toxic dark purple berry plant called the Deadly Nightshade. Eggplants also had a reputation for giving people bad breath. It took centuries for people to accept eggplants as an edible and beneficial culinary ingredient, particularly in the United States. It wasn’t until Thomas Jefferson introduced them as an easily sown and cultivated vegetable that Americans started accepting eggplants into their diets.

Geography/History

Purple eggplants likely originated in China and India, where they have been cultivated for centuries. They flourish in warm climates with rich, sandy soils and full sun exposure. They can be found in the wild and in naturalized settings on commercial farms and home gardens. Purple eggplants were introduced into Southern and Eastern Europe by the Spanish Moors. They were brought to America in the 1500s but didn’t catch on until centuries later. Common Purple eggplant varieties with a large, oblong shape can be found at most supermarkets in the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America. Thinner, elongated eggplant varieties may be sourced from Asian and international specialty stores or farmers' markets.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Salt & Whiskey	San Diego CA	619-544-1886
Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach	Solana Beach CA	858-212-8751
Tom Hams Light House	San Diego CA	619-291-9110
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-759-6063
SIE Culinary Management	San Diego CA	858-964-8677
Parkhouse Eatery	San Diego CA	619 295 7275
Flora Cafe	Bonita CA	619-339-6604
Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets)	Carlsbad CA	760-827-2400
Village Pizzeria Bay Side	Coronado CA	619-522-6890
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
Sheraton La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-453-5500
Hoover High School -Alkire	San Diego CA	619-344-4500
UCSD Health East campus	San Diego CA	619-578-3373
Searcher Sportfishing	San Diego CA	619-861-4640
Rosemary Trattoria	Coronado CA	619-669-8435
Coast Catering	Escondido CA	619-295-3173
Pure Meal Prep SD	San Diego CA	209-485-4861
California Center for the Arts	Escondido CA	760-839-4107
Leucadia Pizza Point Loma	San Diego CA	619-295-2222
Finca North Park	San Diego CA	619-581-3003

the other 94...

Pacific Regent La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-597-8008
Herb & Wood	San Diego CA	520-205-1288
Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina	San Diego CA	619-921-4206
Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019	Carlsbad CA	760-944-1111
Red Tail Catering	San Marcos CA	858-605-8219
Isola La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-412-5566
Botanica	San Diego CA	619-310-6320
Piatti	San Diego CA	858-454-1589
Il Giardino di Lilli	La Jolla CA	619-467-9897
Ulivo	San Diego CA	619-962-7345
Tahona (Kitchen)	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Isola Pizza Bar	San Diego CA	619-564-2938
Barra Oliba	San Diego CA	610-310-5110
The Lion Share	San Diego CA	619-564-6924
US Grant Hotel Grill	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
Sushi Nekosan	La Jolla CA	858-999-0999
Viejas Casino Banquets	Alpine Ca	619-295-3172
Communion	San Diego CA	619-606-5568
Food by Chef Ty	Vista CA	424-278-8626
Bernini's Bistro	La Jolla CA	858-454-5013
Savory Moment (1)	Carlsbad CA	619-633-8863
Birdseye Rooftop	San Diego CA	619-206-7220
Marriott Courtyard - Broadway	San Diego CA	619-446-3008
Mothership	San Diego CA	858-342-3609
Kona Kai Resort and Marina	San Diego CA	619-221-8000
Harvest Kitchen	Vista CA	619-709-0938
The Guild Hotel	San Diego CA	619-764-5108
RoVino Rotisserie + Wine	San Diego CA	619-972-6286
Sisters Pizza	San Diego CA	858-228-6822
Siamo Napoli	San Diego CA	619-300-4810
Crust Pizzeria-Carmel	San Diego CA	858-212-8751
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-380-9840
Juniper & Ivy	San Diego CA	858-481-3666
Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill	San Diego CA	858-453-4420
Milton's Delicatessen, Grill & Bakery	Del Mar CA	858-792-2225
Terra Restaurant	San Diego CA	619-293-7088
American Pizza Manufacturing	La Jolla CA	858-246-6756
Solare Ristorante Lounge	San Diego CA	619-270-9670
BFD-Big Front Door	San Diego CA	619-723-8183
Le Parfait Paris - Downtown	San Diego CA	619-245-4457
The Flavor Chef (Catering)	Vista CA	619-295-3172
Chateau La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-459-4451
Amalfi Gourmet LLC	San Diego CA	619-379-3099
US Grant Hotel Main	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
The Market by Buon Appetito	San Diego CA	619-237-1335
Toast Catering	San Diego CA	619-795-9135
Trust Restaurant	San Diego CA	609-780-7572
Carte Hotel	San Diego CA	619-365-1858
The Monsaraz	San Diego CA	858-760-6228
Mimoza Restaurant	San Diego CA	619-228-9357
Armonia LLC	San Diego CA	619-724-7210
Urban Kitchen Catering	San Diego CA	619-276-8803
Seneca	San Diego CA	619-588-2411
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main	San Diego CA	858-453-4420
Caffe Calabria Coffee Roasting Company	San Diego CA	619-683-7787
Leucadia Pizza Scripps Ranch	San Diego CA	858-530-2222
Born & Raised	San Diego CA	619-944-1631
Trattoria I Trulli	Encinitas CA	760-277-9826
La Jolla Country Club	San Diego CA	858-454-9601
Tartine	Coronado CA	619-435-4323
Glenbrook Health Center	Carlsbad CA	760-704-1000
Olive Tree Marketplace	San Diego CA	619-224-0443
The Besta-Wan Pizza House	Cardiff CA	805-231-2515
Woods Hole Oceanographic Inst.	San Diego CA	508-289-2667
Royal Polaris Sportfishing	San Diego CA	619-226-8030
Village Pizzaria	Coronado CA	619-522-6890
Hotel La Jolla - Sea & Sky	La Jolla CA	858-459-0261
Pete's Seafood and Sandwich	San Diego CA	619-852-1493
Manhattan of La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-459-0700
Aztec Shop Catering	San Diego CA	619 594-3576
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-1582
De La Vina	San Diego CA	619-990-6124
Reata Glen	Ladera Ranch CA	949-545-2250
Herb & Sea	Encinitas CA	858-587-6601
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-761-1269
Bencotto Italian Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-822-5493
Southwestern Yacht Club	San Diego CA	619-222-0438
Firefly Beach	San Diego CA	619-222-6440
Golden Door	San Marcos CA	760-761-4142
The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza	Oceanside CA	760-310-1535
Villa Capri Poway	Poway CA	858-391-9400
Alila Marea Beach Resort	Encinitas CA	805-539-9719
Wilmas Carousel	San Diego CA	858-355-9218
Candor	La Jolla CA	858-581-2205
Jack & Giulio's	San Diego CA	619-294-2074
264 Fresco (Kitchen)	Carlsbad CA	760-720-3737
Ridgeview Health Center	San Diego CA	858-293-3950
The Glen at Scripps Ranch	San Diego CA	858-444-8500
Graze	San Diego CA	619-839-9852
Parfait Paris (La Jolla)	La Jolla CA	619-319-7811
Solana Beach Kitchen	Solana Beach CA	610-717-7217
Ketch Grill and Taps	San Diego CA	858-268-1030
JRDN Restaurant	San Diego CA	858-270-5736
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-381-8289

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Purple Eggplant. One

is easiest, three is harder.

The Pretty Bee		Gluten Free Eggplant Fries
Simple Seasonal		Eggplant Stuffed Shells
Amateur Gourmet		Eggplant Dirty Rice
Skinnytaste		Eggplant "Meatballs"
The Healthy Apple		Lemon Coconut Eggplant Fries
Just a Taste		Eggplant Parmesan Sliders
Everyone Eat's Right		Eggplant Jerky
It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken		Crispy Coconut Eggplant Nuggets
The Endless Meal		Homemade Baba Ganoush
Pickled Plum		Char Siu Style Roasted Eggplant

the other 92...

Know Your Produce		Eggplant Noodles
Wine and Glue		Stuffed Eggplant
Cooking LSL		Grilled Eggplant Soba Noodles
Healing Tomato		Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich
Italian Chips		Baked Eggplant
Andie Mitchell		Healthy Baked Eggplant Parmesan
Know Your Produce		Easy Eggplant Parmesan
Dishing Delish		Easy Eggplant Rollatini
Gimme Delicious Food		Low-Carb Eggplant Pizza Bites
David Lebovitz		Eggplant Caviar
Gonna Want Seconds		Fried Eggplant
Skinny Miss		Julia Child's Zucchini Gratin
Martha Stewart		Easy Eggplant Spread
Vegging The Shore		Vegan Eggplant Meatballs
Jessica in the Kitchen		Baba Ghanoush
Gimme Some Oven		Baked Eggplant Parmesan
The Stay at Home Chef		Best Baked Eggplant Parmesan
Make The First Bite Count		Fried Eggplant
Paleo Grubs		Eggplant Beef Casserole
The Italian Dish		Sicilian Caponata
Cilantro & Citronella		Caponata Antipasto
Chef Tariq		Baba Ganoush
The Seaside Baker		Chardonnay Red Pepper Eggplant Spread
Radiate Food Vibes		Roasted Eggplant & Fresh Mozzarella Pizza
My Persian Kitchen		Eggplant With Pomegranate & Mint Dressing
Sweet As Honey		Low Carb Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread
Food Republic		Falafel-Stuffed Eggplant
The Endless Meal		Crispy Eggplant Fries with Chipotle Aioli
The Skinny Pot		Pork Stuff Eggplant Boats
Martha Stewart		Eggplant Spread
Healthful Pursuit		Crisp Eggplant Chips with Smoky Seasoning
Jackie Newget		Eggplant Gyros with Fresh Tzatziki
Went Here, 8 This		Jamaican Jerk Grilled Eggplant
Dizzy, Busy, and Hungry		Cheesy Eggplant Apple Quesadillas
30 Days of Greek Food		Greek Stuffed Eggplant
Just a Taste		Eggplant Parmesan Sliders
She Knows		Vegan Eggplant, Asparagus, and Black Bean Tacos
Dash of Savory		Italian Fried Eggplant
Eat Good 4 LIfe		15 Minute Asian Vegetables
Martha Stewart		Moroccan Hand Pies
Healing Tomato		Vegan Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce
Mom/Foodie		Eggplant Parmesan Casserole
The Spruce Eats		Italian Pickled Eggplant
Table for Two		Eggplant Parmesan
Olivia's Cuisine		Baba Ghanoush
All Day I Dream About Food		Eggplant Benedict
Pancake Warriors		Balsamic Roasted Eggplant Steaks
Pepper Bowl		Crispy Baked Eggplant
The Roasted Root		Roasted Eggplant Pesto Sandwich
A Spicy Perspective		Sautéed Eggplant with Honey
The Colorful Kitchen		Vegan Spiral Vegetable Tart
Vegetarian Times		Turkish Eggplant Pie
Minimalist Baker		Vegan Caramelized Onion Mac N Cheese
Delish Knowledge		Eggplant Parmesan in the Insant Pot
The Mediterranean Dish		Roasted Eggplant Caprese Salad
My Darling Vegan		Eggplant and Caramelized Onion Pizza
Play. Party. Plan.		Grilled Eggplant Rolls
Minimalist Baker		Creamy Eggplant & Caramelized Onion Dip
Edible Garden		Schezwan Eggplant
Pure Wow		Eggplant Parm Bites
Eat The Gains		Grilled Eggplant Pizza
The Purple Foodie		Stuffed Eggplant
Empowered Sustenance		Paleo French Toast
Just a Little Bit of Bacon		Grilled Eggplant And Halloumi Sandwich
Family Style Food		Baked Eggplant with Mozzarella and Tomato-Basil Salad
Food Wanderings		Eggplant Fritters in Chickpea Flour Batter
Healthy Nibbles and Bits		Eggplant Bliss Bowl with Mint and Cilantro Chutney
Making Thyme for Health		Creamy Eggplant Tomato Soup
Martha Stewart		Black-Tahini and Eggplant Dip
Joy of Kosher		Eggplant Roll Ups with Cream Cheese and Spinach
The Mediterranean Dish		Baked Eggplant Fries with Greek Tzatziki Sauce
Jo Cooks		Roasted Eggplant and Pepper Spread
Healing Tomato		Pull Apart Eggplant with Marinara Sauce
Host The Toast		Eggplant, Prosciutto, & Pesto Pressed Sandwiches
Nutrition Studies		Eggplant Bacon
Little Broken		Creamy Orzo with Grilled Vegetables
Lexi's Clean Kitchen		Paleo Eggplant Pizza Crust
Running In A Skirt		Sheet Pan Healthy Baked Eggplant Parmesan Slices
Green Kitchen Stories		Lemongrass, Aubergine & Brussels Sprout Curry
The Foodie Physician		Mediterranean Eggplant Hummus "Meatballs"
Delish Knowledge		Eggplant Lentil Bolognese
The Brick Kitchen		Roasted Eggplant Shakshuka
Minimalist Baker		Jamaican Jerk Grilled Eggplant
Thank Your Body		Savory Eggplant Jerky
Closet Cooking		Eggplant Pizzas
Feel Good Foodie		Easy Eggplant Moussaka
This Savory Vegan		Roasted Eggplant Sandwiches with Vegan Arugula Walnut Pesto
Vegetarian Gastronomy		Thai Basil Eggplant
Not Enough Cinnamon		Skinny Eggplant Rollatini
Gourmandelle		Lentil and Eggplant Patties with Olives and Herbs
Brown Eyed Baker		Best Eggplant Parmesan
Laura Loving Life		Eggplant Parmesan with Spaghetti Squash