Purple Eggplant
Inventory, 18 ct : 18.69
This item was last sold on : 04/22/24
Description/Taste
Purple eggplants are oval with a bulbous flat bottom that narrows towards the calyx and averages 25 centimeters in length and 5-12 centimeters in diameter. The outer skin is glossy, smooth, black-purple, and has a green stem. The inner flesh is cream colored with a spongy-firm texture and there many edible seeds. When cooked, Purple eggplants are tender and mild with a slightly bitter taste.
Seasons/Availability
Purple eggplants are available year-round with a peak season in summer.
Current Facts
Purple eggplants, botanically classified as Solanum melongena, are the common Western variety that are a part of the Giganteum Group, or the large and round to semi-oblong fruit category. Purple eggplants are the only variety that are truly domesticated and are displaced from their wild ancestors. They are the most common cultivar in the Western world, and there are many different varieties of Purple eggplant that fall under its name.
Nutritional Value
Purple eggplants are an excellent source of potassium, fiber, and anthocyanins, which are not only responsible for the purple pigment of its skin but also offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Applications
Purple eggplants are best suited for cooked applications such as grilling, pan frying, baking, broiling, sautéing, and roasting. They are popularly prepared by breading and frying and used as a meat substitute in pasta dishes, stir-fries, and burgers. They can also be slow cooked in stews and dishes with rice, meat, and vegetables. Purple eggplants pair well with tomatoes, squashes, peppers, stewed meats, grilled and baked fish, chicken, chickpeas, lentils, herbs such as basil, mint, cilantro, and parsley, as well as cheeses such as fresh cow's milk and aged sheep's cheese. Purple eggplants will keep up to three days when stored in a cool and dry place.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Eggplants are considered specialty vegetables in the United States and were originally thought to cause bad breath. They did not become popular until Thomas Jefferson introduced it to the United States for planting and cultivation. Today Purple eggplants are the most common varieties found in the United States and the majority of the eggplant produced is sold for the fresh market. About two percent of the eggplant production is used for frozen meals and dips.
Geography/History
Purple eggplants evolved out of human selection and cultivation, and early documentation of Purple eggplants in a culinary setting occurred during the 14th century. Eggplants then made their way to the United States in the 20th century. Today Purple eggplants are widely available at specialty grocers and farmers markets in the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
UCSD Health East campus | San Diego CA | 619-578-3373 |
Candor | La Jolla CA | 858-581-2205 |
JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
The Seabird Resort | Oceanside CA | 951-704-9703 |
Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
Villa Capri Poway | Poway CA | 858-391-9400 |
California Center for the Arts | Escondido CA | 760-839-4107 |
Lafayette Hotel - Lou Lou's | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
Tahona (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
Olive Tree Marketplace | San Diego CA | 619-224-0443 |
Addison Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-350-7600 |
Patisserie Melanie | San Diego CA | 619-677-2132 |
Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
Manhattan of La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0700 |
Viejas Casino Banquets | Alpine Ca | 619-295-3172 |
Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
Marriott Courtyard - Broadway | San Diego CA | 619-446-3008 |
Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-277-9826 |
Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina | San Diego CA | 619-921-4206 |
Zanzibar at the Loft | La Jolla CA | 858-210-5476 |
Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza | Oceanside CA | 760-310-1535 |
Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
Thyme for Something Homemade | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-245-1004 |
Sushi Nekosan | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0999 |
The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
Pete's Seafood and Sandwich | San Diego CA | 619-852-1493 |
Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
The Whaling Bar | La Jolla CA | 858-355-9218 |
Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619 295 7275 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
Culinary Concepts | San Diego CA | 619-865-1918 |
Le Parfait Paris- Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-245-4457 |
Village Pizzaria | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
Capri Blu 2020 | San Diego CA | 858-673-5100 |
Rosewood Social | San Juan Capistrano CA | 669-243-8403 |
Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
Crudo Cevicheria & Oyster Bar | San Diego CA | 619-313-9127 |
Rosemary Trattoria | Coronado CA | 619-669-8435 |
Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
Higher Grounds Coffee + Cafe | San Diego CA | 831-247-5395 |
Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-380-9840 |
Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
Seneca | San Diego CA | 619-588-2411 |
Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
Amalfi Gourmet LLC | San Diego CA | 619-379-3099 |
Jack & Giulio's | San Diego CA | 619-294-2074 |
Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
Convention Center Shell | San Diego CA | 619-954-3063 |
RoVino Rotisserie + Wine | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
Peohes | Coronado CA | 619-437-4474 |
Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-902-4646 |
264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
Cesarina | San Diego CA | 619-226-6222 |
Savory Moment (1) | El Cajon CA | 619-633-8863 |
American Pizza Manufacturing | La Jolla CA | 858-246-6756 |
Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
Armonia LLC | San Diego CA | 619-724-7210 |
Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
Common Theory | San Diego CA | 858-384-7974 |
Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
Leucadia Pizza Point Loma | San Diego CA | 619-295-2222 |
Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
Civico 1845 | San Diego CA | 574-210-4025 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
Leucadia Pizza Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-530-2222 |
Giaola | Carlsbad CA | 858-266-9303 |
Valentina | Encinitas CA | 207-522-1937 |
Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
Village Pizzeria Bay Side | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
Monello | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
Gyrogrill | San Diego CA | 857-719-2109 |
Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
Red Tail Catering | San Marcos CA | 858-605-8219 |
Il Giardino di Lilli | La Jolla CA | 619-467-9897 |
Sisters Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
Milton's Delicatessen, Grill & Bakery | Del Mar CA | 858-792-2225 |
Finca North Park | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
Lafayette Hotel - Mississippi Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 |
The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
Mimoza Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-228-9357 |
Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019 | Carlsbad CA | 760-944-1111 |
Fernside | San Diego CA | 619-398-5156 |
Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
Crust Pizzeria-Carmel | San Diego CA | 858-212-8751 |
Barbusa | San Diego CA | 619-297-6333 |
La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
Caffe Calabria Coffee Roasting Company | San Diego CA | 619-683-7787 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Purple Eggplant. One is easiest, three is harder.