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Purple Eggplant
Inventory, 18 ct : 18.89
This item was last sold on : 12/10/23
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.
| Zinque | San Diego CA | 559-281-2485 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
| Hilton San Diego Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-231-4040 |
| Hotel Indigo | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
| Candor | La Jolla CA | 858-581-2205 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| The Cork and Craft | San Diego CA | 858-618-2463 |
| Leucadia Pizza Point Loma | San Diego CA | 619-295-2222 |
| Capri Blu 2020 | San Diego CA | 858-673-5100 |
| Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
| Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
| Caffe Calabria Coffee Roasting Company | San Diego CA | 619-683-7787 |
| UCSD La Jolla (Integrative Medicine) | San Diego CA | 858-657-6473 |
| Hornblower Cruises | San Diego CA | 619-686-8733 |
| Thyme for Something Homemade | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-245-1004 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| Davanti Enoteca India St. | San Diego CA | 619-237-9606 |
| Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 |
| Seneca | San Diego CA | 619-588-2411 |
| Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
| Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
| Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
| Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Crudo Cevicheria & Oyster Bar | San Diego CA | 619-313-9127 |
| Jack & Giulio's | San Diego CA | 619-294-2074 |
| Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019 | Carlsbad CA | 760-944-1111 |
| Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-380-9840 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina | San Diego CA | 619-921-4206 |
| Kairoa Brewing Company | San Diego CA | 858-735-0051 |
| Le Parfait Paris- Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-245-4457 |
| Barbusa | San Diego CA | 619-297-6333 |
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
| Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| Tahona (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619 295 7275 |
| Pendry SD (Provisional) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Little Lion | San Diego CA | 619-519-4079 |
| American Pizza Manufacturing | La Jolla CA | 858-246-6756 |
| Milton's Delicatessen, Grill & Bakery | Del Mar CA | 858-792-2225 |
| C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
| Monello | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| Red Tail Catering | San Marcos CA | 858-605-8219 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
| Amalfi Gourmet LLC | San Diego CA | 619-379-3099 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
| Pippo Pasta | La Jolla CA | 858-412-3432 |
| Fort Oak | San Diego CA | 619-795-6901 |
| SIE Culinary Management | San Diego CA | 858-964-8677 |
| Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
| La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Silver Gate Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-888-1214 |
| The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Ruth's Chris Steak House DT | San Diego CA | 619-233-1422 |
| Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Higher Grounds Coffee + Cafe | San Diego CA | 831-247-5395 |
| Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-277-9826 |
| Margaritaville Hotel SD (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-819-9500 |
| Cloak and Petal | San Diego CA | 626-319-6878 |
| The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza | Oceanside CA | 760-310-1535 |
| Manhattan of La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0700 |
| insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
| Culinary Concepts | San Diego CA | 619-865-1918 |
| Meritage at Callaway, Inc. | Temecula CA | 951-587-8889 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Siamo Napoli | San Diego CA | 619-300-4810 |
| Villa Capri Poway | Poway CA | 858-391-9400 |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| Civico 1845 | San Diego CA | 574-210-4025 |
| Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Armonia LLC | San Diego CA | 619-724-7210 |
| Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
| Olive Tree Marketplace | San Diego CA | 619-224-0443 |
| Gyrogrill | San Diego CA | 857-719-2109 |
| Rosemary Trattoria | Coronado CA | 619-669-8435 |
| BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
| Giaola | Carlsbad CA | 858-266-9303 |
| Pete's Seafood and Sandwich | San Diego CA | 619-852-1493 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-379-2574 |
| Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
| 264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| Leucadia Pizza Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-530-2222 |
| Marriott Courtyard - Broadway | San Diego CA | 619-446-3008 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| ESCA BLU | San Diego CA | 760-840-1129 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-436-7006 |
| Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
| Loving Hut | San Diego CA | 562-653-6111 |
| Il Giardino di Lilli | La Jolla CA | 619-467-9897 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| Crust Pizzeria-Carmel | San Diego CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Mimoza Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-228-9357 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Fernside | San Diego CA | 619-398-5156 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens Banquets | Escondido CA | 760-294-7866 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Village Pizzeria Bay Side | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Convention Center Shell | San Diego CA | 619-954-3063 |
| Village Pizzaria | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Sushi Nekosan | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0999 |
| California Center for the Arts | Escondido CA | 760-839-4107 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
| Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
| Addison Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-350-7600 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| RoVino Rotisserie + Wine | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| Mission Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-450-7864 |
| Sisters Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
| Izakaya Maize/Rabih Sus | La Mesa CA | 619-395-6383 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Purple Eggplant. One
is easiest, three is harder.
