Kermit Eggplant
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Kermit eggplants are small and round, averaging 1-2 centimeters in diameter. The thin skin is tight and smooth with dark green striping traveling from the green calyx down to the white blossom end. The flesh is firm, tender, pale white or green, and contains many small seeds. Kermit eggplants are crunchy and mild but develop a bitter flavor when left on the stalk.
Seasons/Availability
Kermit eggplants are available year-round, with peak season in the late summer through fall.
Current Facts
Kermit eggplants, botanically classified as Solanum melongena ‘Kermit,’ are members of the Solanaceae, or nightshade family along with peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes. Also known as the Garden Egg and Bitter Ball, Kermit eggplants are a Thai hybrid variety that were created in the United States and named after the famous Muppet character, Kermit The Frog.
Nutritional Value
Kermit eggplants contain vitamin K, potassium, folate, manganese, and fiber.
Applications
Kermit eggplants can be used raw but also in cooked applications such as frying, stuffing, braising, grilling, and stewing. Kermit eggplants can be sliced into rings or quartered and consumed raw with nam phrik, or chili paste. It can also be sliced and used fresh in salads. In cooked applications, Kermit eggplants are most commonly used in ratatouille, ragu, marina and parmesan dishes, soups, and stews. It is also stuffed or battered and fried. In Asia, Kermit eggplants are commonly diced and added to curries and stir-fries. Kermit eggplants pair well with red bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach, baby bok choy, kaffir lime leaves, coconut milk, oyster sauce, aromatics such as garlic, ginger, onions, and fennel, herbs such as basil, mint, and cilantro, poultry, lamb, tofu, parmesan, and mayonnaise. Kermit eggplants will keep up to one week when stored wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Eggplants are a common ingredient in Thai cuisine because they readily absorb flavors and can add a cooling element to spicy, hot dishes. Kermit eggplants are used in the popular Thai dish geng kyaw wan, which is a soup-like green curry. Kermit eggplants add a slightly bitter flavor to the sweet tasting curry and are used as a dish balancing ingredient along with other vegetables and chicken and served over rice.
Geography/History
Kermit eggplants were created in the United States as a hybrid variety of the Thai eggplant. Today, Kermit eggplants can be found in farmers markets, online seed catalogs, and specialty grocers in the United States, Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Kermit Eggplant. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Padaek |
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Lao Spicy Rice Vermicelli Salad |
| Yummy Medley |
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Nigerian Eggplant Stew |
