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Japanese Eggplant

Inventory, 10 lbs : 4.45
This item was last sold on : 09/21/18

• 51 Featured Restaurants

• 25 Recipe Ideas

• 9 Spots

Description/Taste

Japanese eggplants are long, slender, and oblong, averaging 20-25 centimeters in length. This ink-colored fruit can be straight or slightly crooked and has a dark purple or green stem depending on the variety. Its glossy, smooth skin is thin and purple-black. The cream-colored inner flesh is spongy and nearly seedless. When cooked, Japanese eggplants are mild and sweet with a tender, meaty texture.

Seasons/Availability

Japanese eggplants are available year-round with peak season summer through fall

Current Facts

Japanese eggplants, botanically classified as Solanum melongena, belong to the Solanaceae, or nightshade family, sharing ancestry with tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. Japanese eggplant is the Western name given to dozens of eggplant varieties, both heirloom and hybrid. The most common varieties on the market today are Millionaire and Orient Express. Japanese eggplants are also known to maintain their skin color when cooked which is a quality that makes them unique among many other eggplant varieties.

Nutritional Value

Japanese eggplants contain vitamin C, potassium, folate, and dietary fiber.

Applications

Japanese eggplants are best suited for cooked applications such as sautéing, pan-frying, deep-frying, grilling, pickling, and baking. The eggplant's thin skin and sponge-like texture allow it to quickly take on flavorings such as miso, soy sauce, and ginger. Its texture also makes for an excellent meat substitute in vegetarian and vegan preparations. It is commonly grilled as a side dish or sliced and stir-fried with other vegetables. Japanese eggplant pairs well with ginger, scallions, herbs such as basil and mint, liquids such as vinegar, soy sauce, miso, and sake, sesame seeds, cucumber, meats such as pork, chicken, and beef, fish, tomato sauce, limes, chilies, peanuts, and honey. Japanese eggplant will keep up to one week when stored in a cool and dry place.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Eggplant production in Japan has spanned more than twelve centuries and is the third most important vegetable for culinary use in modern day. The eggplant is a symbol of good luck in Japanese culture and is valued for its nutrient dense skin. Many different Japanese eggplant varieties are grown across the country and are used in popular dishes such as Nasu Dengaku, which is grilled eggplant in a sweet and savory miso glaze and Nasu Agebitashi, deep-fried eggplant in a soy sauce broth.

Geography/History

Eggplants are native to the Old World and were cultivated in India and China. Chinese eggplant varieties then spread to Japan and the Japanese would successively create and plant newer varieties, such as Japanese eggplants, for centuries, accumulating hundreds of different subspecies. Today Japanese eggplants are found at farmers markets, specialty grocers, and home gardens in Asia, Europe, the United States, and South America.

Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

True Food Kitchen - La Jolla	San Diego CA	480-212-0175
Ketch Grill and Taps	San Diego CA	858-268-1030
Full Moon	San Diego CA	619-233-3711
Under Belly-Little Italy Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-269-4626
Dija Mara	Oceanside CA	760-231-5376
Fresh and Fit Meals	National City CA	858-805-5949
The Bellows	San Marcos CA	619-395-6325
Waters Catering	San Diego CA	619-276-8803 x4
Gaslamp Union Kitchen & Tap	San Diego CA	619-795-9463
Harvest by The Patio	San Diego CA	619-550-1262
Great Maple	San Diego CA	619-255-2282
Kappa Sushi	San Diego CA	858-566-3388
Miho Gastrotruck	San Diego CA	619-867-4295
Under Belly-Uptown	San Diego CA	619-269-4626
The Rose	San Diego CA	619-281-0718
San Diego Culinary Institute Inc.	La Mesa CA	619-644-2100
Mille Fleurs	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-3085
MCRD-Marine Corps Recruit Dept	San Diego CA	619-725-6478
Culinary Solutions Intimate Catering	San Diego CA	619-966-7530
The Farm Golf Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-5585

the other 31...

San Diego Yacht Club	San Diego CA	619-758-6334
Solterra Winery + Kitchen	Encinitas CA	760-230-2970
Maretalia Ristorante	Coronado CA	619-522-6890
Bread & Cie Café	San Diego CA	619-295-3172
Barbarella	San Diego CA	858-454-7373
Urban Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-239-2222
Chef Drew Mc Partlin	San Diego CA	619-990-9201
US Grant Hotel Main	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
Covo La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-246-6721
Coast Catering	Escondido CA	619-295-3173
Sushi Ota	San Diego CA	858-270-5047
Lola 55 Catering	San Diego CA	619-727-9282
Brasserie	San Diego CA	858-450-9576
Ballast Point Restaurant - Miramar	San Diego CA	858-790-6900
Stone Brewing-Liberty Station	San Diego CA	619-269-2100
Marriott Coronado	Coronado CA	619-435-3000 x6335
Hornblower Cruises	San Diego CA	619-686-8733
Stone Brewing-Liberty Station Banquets	San Diego CA	619-269-2100
Born & Raised	San Diego CA	619-550-5412
Mesa College	San Diego CA	619-388-2240
True Food-Fashion Valley	San Diego CA	619-810-2929
Wine Vault & Bistro	San Diego CA	619-295-3939
Aztec Shop Catering	San Diego CA	619 594-3576
Wokou Noodles & Pours	San Diego CA	858-779-2620
Buona Forchetta (Liberty Station)	San Diego CA	619-458-9231
Barbusa	San Diego CA	619-297-6333
Paradise Point Resort Tidal	San Diego CA	858-490-6363
La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen	Carlsbad CA	760-930-7063
Grass Skirt	San Diego CA	858-412-5237
Saiko Sushi-North Park	San Diego CA	619-886-6656
Pamplemousse Grill	Solana Beach CA	858-792-9090

Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Japanese Eggplant. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Holy Cow Vegan		African Peanut Stew with Eggplant and Okra
All Day I Dream About Food		Garam Masala Eggplant Chips with Cilantro Mint Raita
Earth Eats		Curried Roasted Eggplant Soup With Coconut Milk
Food Republic		Vegan Japanese Eggplant Dog
Asian in America		Japanese Eggplant Tempura with Dipping Soy Sauce
My Kitchen Snippets		Stir-fry Szechuan Eggplant with Chicken
Connoisseurus Veg		Japanese Eggplant Miso Noodle Soup
Steamy Kitchen		Stuffed Miso Eggplant
Nourish Me		Three Eggplant Curry
Nosh On It		Korean-style Steamed Eggplant

the other 15...

Sun Basket		Braised Japanese Eggplant with Coconut Milk and Spinach
Healing Tomato		Japanese Eggplant Glazed with Miso
Connoisseurus Veg		Spicy Eggplant Sushi
Lovely Lanvin		Pasta with Tomato Sauce and Roasted Japanese Eggplant
China Sichuan Food		Chinese Eggplants with Minced Pork
Just Hungry		Country-Style Stewed Eggplant
Simply Recipes		Stir Fried Japanese Eggplant with Ginger and Miso
RecipeTin Eats		Grilled Miso Glazed Japanese Eggplant
Cilantro & Citronella		Black Pepper Tofu
One Perfect Bite		Grilled Asian Eggplant with Soy-Ginger Glaze
Oh My Veggies		Miso Stuffed Eggplant
Cookin' Canuck		Roasted Eggplant with Almond Butter Coconut Sauce
Earth Eats		Japanese Ratatouille
Cooking Books		Eggplant with Pomegranate Sauce
GI 365		Easiest Roasted Veggie Thai Curry

Recently Spotted
People have spotted Japanese 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.

Little Italy Mercato

Anthony - Maciel Farms
17605210643

Near San Diego, California, United States
About 91 days ago, 6/23/18
Spotter's comments : Japanese Eggplant spotted at Little Italy Mercato. Baby size. So beautiful.

Little Italy Mercato

Anthony - Maciel Farms
17605210643

Near San Diego, California, United States
About 105 days ago, 6/09/18
Spotter's comments : Japanese Eggplant spotted at Little Italy Mercato.

Asian Food Center Near Shoreline, Washington, United States
About 145 days ago, 4/30/18
Spotter's comments : Japanese Eggplant spotted at Asian Food Center.

Vista Farmers Market

Anthony - Maciel Farms
17605210643

Near Vista, California, United States
About 210 days ago, 2/24/18
Spotter's comments : Japanese Eggplant spotted at Vista Farmers Market.

Little Italy Mercato

Anthony - Maciel Farms
17605210643

Near San Diego, California, United States
About 245 days ago, 1/20/18
Spotter's comments : Japanese Eggplant spotted at Little Italy Mercato.

Little Italy Mercato Near San Diego, California, United States
About 378 days ago, 9/09/17
Spotter's comments : Japanese Eggplant spotted at Little Italy Mercato.

aloha stadium Near Halawa, Hawaii, United States
About 391 days ago, 8/27/17
Spotter's comments : Japanese Eggplant spotted at aloha stadium.

Little Italy Mercato Near San Diego, California, United States
About 399 days ago, 8/19/17
Spotter's comments : Japanese Eggplant spotted at Little Italy Mercato.

Little Italy Mercato

Anthony Maciel
Maciel Family Farm
760-521-0643

Near San Diego, California, United States
About 406 days ago, 8/12/17
Spotter's comments : Japanese Eggplant spotted at Little Italy Mercato.