Produce Briefs...
Galia Melon
The Galia melon has a lightly netted golden yellow rind with a pale glacial green succulent flesh that has a signature spicy sweet flavor with tropical and perfumed aromatics.
Sharlyn Melon
The Sharlyn melon has a cracked skin with tan and yellow-orange coloring. Superficially resembling an elongated Cantaloupe, the Sharlyn does not possess the sweet unctuous flavor of Cantaloupes, rather a more restrained balance of sweetness
Seasons/Availability
Italian eggplant is normally available commercially year round. Italian eggplant can also be found at your local farmers market
Current Facts
Eggplant is actually a perennial fruit, (agriculturallly grown as an annual) as it bears seeds within its body; it is classified as a berry.
Description/Taste
Growing up to eight inches in length, Italian eggplants elongated and wider at the blossom-end. Their glossy, indigo-black skin is thick and the flesh is a creamy white color. The texture of an Italian eggplant is succulent and porous like a sponge; when cooked the flesh becomes creamy and tender.
Nutritional Value
Eggplant skin contains 'nasunin,' a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger that protects cell membranes from damage. Nasunin protects the lipids (fats) in brain cell membranes.
Applications
The eggplant's sponge-like texture qualities allow it to easily take on flavorings. Cube, saute in garlic and toss with diced peppers, tomatoes and fresh pasta. Slice eggplant into rounds, layer in a baking dish with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, then bake into eggplant parmesan. Half eggplant and roast until flesh is very soft and cooked, then puree with yogurt, garlic and olive oil into baba ganoush. Saute diced eggplant with chopped swiss chard and onions, then add vegetable mixture to beaten eggs and bake into a frittata. Eggplant will keep, dry and refrigerated, for one to two weeks.
Geography/History
The first clear reference to the eggplant in Sicily is from 1309, where they are called melingianas and are grown in a garden along with cucumbers and a kind of gourd. There are dozens of Italian varieties of eggplants grown today, both heirloom and hybrid, including Listada de Gandia, Rotonda Bianca di Imola, Cucuzzi, Prosperosa, Vittoria PS, Violette di Firenze and Nadia (to name a few).
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
| Kappa Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-566-3388 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Paradise Point Resort Baleen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Cucina Urbana | San Diego CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Roppongi | San Diego CA | 858-551-5252 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Monello | San Diego CA | 619-501-0030 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| The Village at 631 | San Diego CA | 619-255-9405 |
| 333 Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-433-3333 |
| Barbarella | San Diego CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Saiko Sushi | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
| Toast Enoteca Cucina | San Diego CA | 619-269-4342 |
| Wine Vault & Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-295-3939 |
| Paradise Point Resort Main Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Queenstown Public House | San Diego CA | 619-546-0444 |
| Crust Pizzeria | Carlsbad CA | 760-944-1111 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Whisknladle | San Diego CA | 858-551-7575 |
| Hilton San Diego Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-231-4040 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 760-822-3593 sal |
| Gossip Grill | San Diego CA | 619-260-8023 |
| Bertrand at Mr A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Four Seasons Residence Club | Carlsbad CA | 760 603 3700 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 800 843 4661 |
| Akinori | San Diego CA | 619-220-4888 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Italian Eggplant. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Spotted
Someone spotted Italian Eggplant using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting 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.
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Whole Foods Market Near Lake Grove, New York, United States About 43 days ago |
