

Enter the
Share Market®
Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.


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.
Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-277-9826 |
Lean and Green La Jolla 2020 | La Jolla CA | 858-459-5326 |
The Crack Shack-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 858-735-3093 |
Monello | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
Rosewood Kitchen | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5886 |
Barbusa | San Diego CA | 619-297-6333 |
Puesto-Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-233-8880 |
Rubicon Deli-UTC | San Diego CA | 619-200-4201 |
Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
Milton's Delicatessen, Grill & Bakery | Del Mar CA | 858-792-2225 |
Marriott Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-369-6029 |
The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
Gyrogrill | San Diego CA | 857-719-2109 |
Chateau Lake San Marcos | San Marcos CA | 760-670-5807 |
Monarch | Del Mar CA | 619-308-6500 |
Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
Graze | San Diego CA | 619-839-9852 |
Open Gym-Well Fed | San Diego CA | 619-799-3675 |
Thyme for Something Homemade | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-245-1004 |
Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
Open Gym-Craft Meals | San Diego CA | 619-799-3675 |
Jack & Giulio's | San Diego CA | 619-294-2074 |
Coasterra | San Diego CA | 619-814-1300 |
Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
St. Paul's Senior Services | San Diego CA | 619-806-2076 |
RoVino Rotisserie + Wine | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
Blade 1936 | Oceanside CA | 760-231-1456 |
Le Papagayo (Carlsbad) | Carlsbad CA | 949-235-5862 |
Lucky Bolt | San Diego CA | 662-832-3638 |
Leucadia Pizza Point Loma | San Diego CA | 619-295-2222 |
Et Voilà! French Bistro | San Diego CA | 858-610-8784 |
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-380-9840 |
Capri Blu 2020 | San Diego CA | 858-673-5100 |
Qero | Encinitas CA | 702-334-8845 |
Common Theory | San Diego CA | 858-384-7974 |
Olive Tree Marketplace | San Diego CA | 619-224-0443 |
Wine Vault & Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-295-3939 |
Pete's Seafood and Sandwich | San Diego CA | 619-852-1493 |
The Miller's Table | Oceanside CA | 310-694-4091 |
Hotel Del Coronado Store Room | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
Le Parfait Paris- Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-245-4457 |
Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619-295-7275 |
Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 808-868-8639 |
Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
Sabuku Sushi | San Diego CA | |
Tribute Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-220-0030 |
Il Dandy | San Diego CA | 609-373-5917 |
Bistro du Marche by Tapenade | La Jolla CA | 858-551-7500 |
Il Sogno Italiano | San Diego CA | |
Oside Kitchen Collaborative | Oceanside CA | 619-807-7161 |
Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
Zinque | San Diego CA | 559-281-2485 |
Saiko Sushi-North Park | San Diego CA | 619-886-6656 |
Pete's Premade Paleo | San Diego CA | 770-359-8274 |
Village Pizzeria Bay Side | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
Rovino The Foodery | San Diego CA | 619-204-3666 |
Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019 | Carlsbad CA | 760-944-1111 |
Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
The Haven | San Diego CA | 619-964-3778 |
Marriott Courtyard Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-260-8500 |
Veg Appeal | San Diego CA | 619-940-7648 |
The Market by Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-237-1335 |
Town & Country Cold Prep | San Diego CA | 619-291-7131 |
Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
Miho Gastrotruck | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
The Original 40 Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-206-4725 |
Hotel Del Coronado Serea Restaurant Bar | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
Civico 1845 | San Diego CA | 574-210-4025 |
Oscars Brewing Company | Temecula CA | 619-695-2422 |
Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
Eco Caters Organics | San Diego CA | 619-997-8792 |
Seasoned Catering and Events | San Diego CA | 619-246-4909 |
Bernini's Bistro | La Jolla CA | 858-454-5013 |
The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
Campfire | Carlsbad CA | |
Michele Coulon Dessertier | San Diego CA | 858-456-5098 |
Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
You & Yours Distilling (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 214-693-6619 |
Raki Raki (Little Italy) | San Diego CA | 858-302-6405 |
The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-451-9100 |
La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
Alexander's on 30th | San Diego CA | 858-774-3062 |
Villa Capri Poway | Poway CA | 858-391-9400 |
insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-793-9221 |
La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
Village Pizzaria | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
Farm Fresh Meals | Vista CA | 760-707-2383 |
Mimmos Italian Village | San Diego CA | 619-239-3710 |
Sisters Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
Leucadia Pizza Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-942-2222 |
Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
Le Papagayo (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
Open Gym-White Rice | San Diego CA | 619-799-3675 |
Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Purple Eggplant. One

Recently Shared
People have shared Purple Eggplant using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
![]() About 373 days ago, 2/27/20 Sharer's comments : terong hitam di papaya market blok m jakarta selatan ![]() About 373 days ago, 2/27/20 Sharer's comments : terong ungu di ranch market darmawangsa jakarta ![]() ![]()
Vandepoel
South Holland, NetherlandsAbout 473 days ago, 11/19/19 Sharer's comments : Fresh eggplant at Vandepoel Brussels Belgium ![]() About 571 days ago, 8/14/19 Sharer's comments : Chinese eggplant, Italian eggplant and American eggplant coming out of Fresno from Her Produce. ![]() About 575 days ago, 8/10/19 ![]() ![]()
Oasis Food Market
Near Oakland, California, United States3045 Telegraph Ave Oakland CA 94609 510-655-5111 www.oasisfoodmarkettelegraphave.com About 581 days ago, 8/04/19 ![]() ![]()
Royal Market And Bakery
Near San Francisco, California, United States5335 Geary Blvd San Francisco CA 94121 415-221-5550 About 603 days ago, 7/13/19 ![]() ![]()
Harvest Urban Market
Near San Francisco, California, United States191 8th Street San Francisco CA 94103 415-621-1000 About 604 days ago, 7/12/19 ![]() ![]()
Specialty
Near Santa Monica, California, United States619-295-3172 About 606 days ago, 7/10/19 Sharer's comments : All the Eggplants from Fresno Evergreen! |