Produce Briefs...
Orange Honeydew Melon
Oval-to-round and a delicious cross between a cantaloupe and a honeydew, the very fleshy juicy orangish-yellow pulp of the orange honeydew melon is encased in a hard very yellow matching rind.
Iceberg Lettuce
It is the only lettuce type that does not occur in red form as well as green. Iceberg is the given name to dozens of cultivars of lettuce, all of which are adapted to specific planting regions and time periods.
Seasons/Availability
Eggplant is available year round with a peak season during the summer months.
Current Facts
Although grown and treated as a vegetable, botanically, eggplant is actually a perennial fruit, (agriculturally grown as an annual) as it bears seeds within its body; it is classified as a berry.
Description/Taste
Globe eggplants are the most common, Western market variety. They have glossy, black-purple skin, are oval and oblong in shape, often growing up to 10 inches long and wider at the blossom end. They have a characteristic green calyx and a green stem or a leaf shooting out from the base of the stem, wrapping around the top of the smooth-skinned fruit. The flesh is cream colored with a spongy-firm texture.
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
Eggplant got its name from English explorers who discovered the fruit in Asia; the specific variety they found resembled the shape of an egg - hence egg-plant. Growing on bushy foliage and maturing between sixty and seventy-six days, classic purple eggplants are best suited for warm growing regions. Eggplant can be picked when it reaches a desirable size. The larger the eggplant, the more seeds. Eggplants are usually cut off the vine with about an inch of stem remaining on the fruit.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront & Spa | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Stingaree | San Diego CA | 619-544-0867 |
| Pacific Cafe & Catering | San Diego CA | 858-350-2700 |
| Barbarella | San Diego CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Parioli Italian Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-755-2525 |
| Na Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-380-6791 |
| Urbn Pizza | San Diego CA | 619-255-7300 |
| Catering By Felicia G. | San Diego CA | 619-742-4747 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| The Kebab Shop Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-550-5481 |
| Crust Pizzeria | Carlsbad CA | 760-944-1111 |
| Hotel Del Coronado 1500 Restaurant | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| Chart House Restaurant Cardiff | Cardiff-by-the-Sea CA | 760-436-4044 |
| Crush | Solana Beach CA | 858-481-2787 |
| Great News Cooking School | San Diego CA | 888-478-2433 |
| Blue Point / Coastal Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-233-6623 |
| La Costa Blue Fire | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| The Kebab Shop (Encinites) | Encinitas CA | 760-634-9822 |
| Cowboy Star | San Diego CA | 619-450-5880 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
| The Kebab Shop Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-451-1434 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| The Kebab Shop Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-491-0279 |
| Hotel Palomar-Salt Box | San Diego CA | 619-515-4062 |
| Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6800 |
| Real Food & Spirits | Solana Beach CA | 858-793-7325 |
| Come On In Carmel Valley | San Diego CA | 828-350-2703 |
| Kecho's Café | San Diego CA | 619-225-9043 |
| Come On In La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-551-1063 |
| Hilton San Diego Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-231-4040 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Juan Chou | San Diego CA | 619-487-0455 |
| Hilton Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-6700 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| J six | San Diego CA | 619-531-8744 |
| Bistro West | Carlsbad CA | 760-431-9195 |
| Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
| Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
| Martinis above Fourth | San Diego CA | 619-400-4500 |
| Come on in Pacific Heights | San Diego CA | 858-638-0088 |
| Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 x212 |
| Searsucker | San Diego CA | 619-233-7327 |
| Nutmeg Café & Bakery | San Diego CA | 858-722-8901 |
| Come on In Coast 9 | San Diego CA | 858-453-1400 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
| The Australian Grill | Carlsbad CA | 858-222-9328 |
| Hotel Del Coronado Banquets | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| Market Creek Events | San Diego CA | 619-527-6161 |
| Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| Wyndham SD Bayside | San Diego CA | 619-232-3861 |
| Jack & Giulio's | San Diego CA | 619-294-2074 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Sorority Cuisine - Delta Gamma | San Diego CA | 916 847 9896 |
| Mission Bay Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 858-488-0501 x14 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| Extraordinary Desserts Union St. | San Diego CA | 619-294-7001 |
| Toronado San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-282-0456 |
| Chicago on a Bun (Rancho Bernardo) | San Diego CA | 858-487-7776 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-543-2764 |
| Fresco Pizza & Grill | San Diego CA | 858-538-3333 |
| Paradise Point Resort Main Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-450-4786 |
| Fishery | San Diego CA | 858-272-9985 |
| Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
| Four Seasons Residence Club | Carlsbad CA | 760 603 3700 |
| Come On In Sorrento Valley | San Diego CA | 858-558-8964 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Hard Rock Hotel Main Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-702-3000 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Prado at Balboa Park Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-744-3732 |
| Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
| Tuscany | Carlsbad CA | 760-929-8111 |
| Bertrand at Mr A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
| The Kebab Shop (Mira Mesa) | San Diego CA | 858-586-0499 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| Paradise Point Resort Baleen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Sbicca | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1001 |
| Delicia's | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-8000 |
| La Valencia Dry Storage | San Diego CA | 858-551-3750 |
| Chaplos Restaurants & Bar | San Diego CA | 619-798-3888 frdesk |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| World Famous | San Diego CA | 858-272-3100 |
| Prado at Balboa Park Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-744-3732 |
| Ebisu Sushi Bar | San Diego CA | 619-297-3119 |
| Kensington Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-640-0494 |
| Carolyn J. Fisher | San Diego CA | 858-274-1129 |
| Plan Cha | La Mesa CA | 619-213-4277 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Akinori | San Diego CA | 619-220-4888 |
| Villa Capri 2 Family Style Trattoria | San Diego CA | 858-538-5884 |
| Sapori | Coronado CA | 619-319-5696 |
| Cucina Urbana | San Diego CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-255-4230 |
| Lean and Green La Jolla | Country Club CA | 619-436-7618 |
| Davanti Enoteca | San Diego CA | 858-519-5060 |
| Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-255-4100 |
| JR Produce | San Diego CA | 858-270-3857 |
| Prado at Balboa Park Banquets | San Diego CA | 619-744-3732 |
| Barleymash | San Diego CA | 619-276-6700 x304 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-436-5236 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| Nine - Ten | San Diego CA | 858-964-5400 |
| Avenue 5 | San Diego CA | 619-542-0394 |
| Marriott Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-3000 x6335 |
| Tapenade | San Diego CA | 858-551-7500 |
| Wynola Flats Produce | Julian CA | 760-765-2979 |
| Waters Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 ex 4 |
| Toast Catering | san diego CA | 858.208.9422 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| Mimmos Italian Village | San Diego CA | 619-239-3710 |
| Monello | San Diego CA | 619-501-0030 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 760-822-3593 sal |
| The Village at 631 | San Diego CA | 619-255-9405 |
| Sorority Cuisine - Pibeta Phi | San Diego CA | 619-778-0311 |
| Union Kitchen & Tap | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2337 |
| Doug Harrigan | San Diego CA | 619-260-1135 |
| Great Maple | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Cucina Celestina | Coronado CA | 619-672-4246 |
| Sogno Di Vino | San Diego CA | 619-531-8887 |
| Sorority Cuisine - Kappa Delta | San Diego CA | 510-512-2213 |
| Bernard'O Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-487-7171 |
| Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
| Ritual Tavern | San Diego CA | 619-283-1618 |
| Gro Café | San Diego CA | 619-253-8311 |
| Woody's Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-345-1740 |
| Culinary Concepts | San Diego CA | 858-530-1885 |
| West Steak and Seafood | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-9100 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| La Valencia | San Diego CA | 858-551-3750 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Villa Capri Cucina Italiana | San Diego CA | 858-720-8777 |
| Acqua Al 2 Ristorante | San Diego CA | 619-230-0382 |
| The Market by Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-237-1335 |
| Gauchito Grill | San Marcos CA | 858-705-1747 |
| Bee Green Diet | San Diego CA | 858-551-1104 |
| Vi At La Jolla Village | San Diego CA | 858-646-7700 |
| Bread & Cie Bakery | San Diego CA | 619-688-1788 |
| Bahia Resort Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-488-0551 |
| Papa Luna's Empanadas | San Diego CA | 858-255-8875 |
| Madison High School | San Diego CA | 858-496-8410 |
| Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
| Alchemy Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-255-0616 |
| Tender Greens-UTC | San Diego CA | 858-455-9395 |
| LaCasse Maritime | Bothell WA | 206 545 2201 |
| Cork and Platter | San Diego CA | 619-253-8311 |
| Wine Vault & Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-295-3939 |
| La Costa Glen Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Sorority Cuisine - Achio | San Diego CA | 310-402-6195 |
| Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-238-9880 |
| Aztec Shops Catering | San Diego CA | 619-594-7641 |
| Marine Room | San Diego CA | 858-551-4676 |
| In The Market | San Diego CA | 619-232-6367 |
| Surf Side Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619 507-0891 |
| The Greenspot Salad Co. | San Diego CA | 858-587-2585 |
| Milton's Delicatessen, Grill & Bakery | Del Mar CA | 858-792-2225 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| Brooklyn Girl | San Diego CA | 619-296-4600 |
| The Kebab Shop (Downtown) | San Diego CA | 619-525-0055 |
| Amici's East Coast Pizzeria | San Diego CA | 858-729-9988 |
| The Crossings | Carlsbad CA | 760-444-1800 |
| Convention Center East | San Diego CA | 619-525-5832 |
| Herringbone | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0221 |
| Hotel La Jolla & CUSP Dining & Drinks | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
| Bacci | San Diego CA | 619-275-2094 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Andaz San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-814-2026 |
| Claire's on Cedros | Solana Beach CA | 858-259-8597 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| Sorority Cuisine - Alpha Phi | San Diego CA | 619-295-3173 |
| The Oceanaire Seafood Room | San Diego CA | 619-858-2277 |
| In Flux Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-255-0735 |
| Tender Greens-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-226-6254 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Purple Eggplant. One
is easiest, three is harder.| The Pioneer Woman |
|
Pasta with Eggplant |
| Love & Olive Oil |
|
Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna with Swiss Chard |
Recently Spotted
Someone spotted Purple 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.
|
Whole Foods Market Near Lake Grove, New York, United States About 45 days ago |
