Purple Eggplant
Inventory, 18 ct : 19.74
This item was last sold on : 09/15/24
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.
| BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
| Kingfisher | San Diego CA | 619-861-8074 |
| The Flavor Experience @ the Intercontinental | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Caffe Calabria Coffee Roasting Company | San Diego CA | 619-683-7787 |
| Seneca | San Diego CA | 619-588-2411 |
| Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
| Pete's Seafood and Sandwich | San Diego CA | 619-852-1493 |
| Wayfarer Bread | La Jolla CA | 805-709-0964 |
| Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
| Elks Lodge 2698 -Donation | Lakeside CA | 619-390-4949 |
| UCSD Health East campus | San Diego CA | 619-578-3373 |
| Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
| Something Homemade | Vista CA | 858-245-1004 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| RoVino Rotisserie + Wine | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
| Jack & Giulio's | San Diego CA | 619-294-2074 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619 295 7275 |
| Sushi Nekosan | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0999 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| The Loma Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-4653 |
| Cesarina | San Diego CA | 619-226-6222 |
| The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza | Oceanside CA | 760-310-1535 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
| Savory Moment (1) | El Cajon CA | 619-633-8863 |
| Leucadia Pizza Point Loma | San Diego CA | 619-295-2222 |
| Tahona (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
| Amalfi Gourmet LLC | San Diego CA | 619-379-3099 |
| Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019 | Carlsbad CA | 760-944-1111 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-380-9840 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Candor | La Jolla CA | 858-581-2205 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5995 |
| Villa Capri Poway | Poway CA | 858-391-9400 |
| Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| Manhattan of La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0700 |
| Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
| Slowly | San Diego CA | 858-352-6080 |
| Olive Tree Marketplace | San Diego CA | 619-224-0443 |
| Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Giaola | Carlsbad CA | 858-266-9303 |
| 31ThirtyOne by Deckman | San Diego CA | 619-495-9814 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Mimmos Italian Village | San Diego CA | 619-239-3710 |
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| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Aztec Shop Catering | San Diego CA | 619 594-3576 |
| Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co. | San Diego CA | 619-368-3705 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| Barbusa | San Diego CA | 619-297-6333 |
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
| American Pizza Manufacturing | La Jolla CA | 858-246-6756 |
| 264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Hilton San Diego Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-231-4040 |
| Mimoza Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-228-9357 |
| Sisters Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
| Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-277-9826 |
| Village Pizzeria Bay Side | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Club Beverage | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Milton's Delicatessen, Grill & Bakery | Del Mar CA | 858-792-2225 |
| Avant | San Diego CA | 858-675-8505 |
| Trust Restaurant | San Diego CA | 609-780-7572 |
| Wine Vault & Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-295-3939 |
| Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
| Hilton Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-543-9000 |
| Leucadia Pizza Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-530-2222 |
| Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
| Rosemary Trattoria | Coronado CA | 619-669-8435 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Civico 1845 | San Diego CA | 574-210-4025 |
| Marriott Courtyard - Broadway | San Diego CA | 619-446-3008 |
| Lafayette Hotel - Lou Lou's | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
| Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina | San Diego CA | 619-921-4206 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
| Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
| Crust Pizzeria-Carmel | San Diego CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Culinary Concepts | San Diego CA | 619-865-1918 |
| Le Parfait Paris- Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-245-4457 |
| MRKT Space - La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-500-7484 |
| Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
| Farm Fresh Meals | Vista CA | 760-707-2383 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| Il Giardino di Lilli | La Jolla CA | 619-467-9897 |
| Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
| Crudo Cevicheria & Oyster Bar | San Diego CA | 619-313-9127 |
| Village Pizzaria | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-894-2051 |
| Boujiemana | San Diego CA | 415-710-0510 |
| Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
| Finca North Park | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
| Cucina Enoteca | Del Mar CA | 619-239-2222 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| The Market by Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-237-1335 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Purple Eggplant. One
is easiest, three is harder.