Purple Eggplant
Inventory, 18 ct : 11.84
This item was last sold on : 03/17/24
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.
Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
Marine Group Global Services LLC | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
Giaola | Carlsbad CA | 858-266-9303 |
Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
Higher Grounds Coffee + Cafe | San Diego CA | 831-247-5395 |
Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
Jack & Giulio's | San Diego CA | 619-294-2074 |
Cesarina | San Diego CA | 619-226-6222 |
Seneca | San Diego CA | 619-588-2411 |
Civico 1845 | San Diego CA | 574-210-4025 |
US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Pete's Seafood and Sandwich | San Diego CA | 619-852-1493 |
Red Tail Catering | San Marcos CA | 858-605-8219 |
Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
Crust Pizzeria-Carmel | San Diego CA | 858-212-8751 |
Farm Fresh Meals | Vista CA | 760-707-2383 |
C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
Southwestern Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-0438 |
Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Kairoa Brewing Company | San Diego CA | 858-735-0051 |
Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-277-9826 |
Barbusa | San Diego CA | 619-297-6333 |
Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
Monello | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
Sycuan Casino | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
Amalfi Gourmet LLC | San Diego CA | 619-379-3099 |
Il Giardino di Lilli | La Jolla CA | 619-467-9897 |
La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
Villa Capri Poway | Poway CA | 858-391-9400 |
Addison Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-350-7600 |
Village Pizzaria | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-380-9840 |
Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
Peohes | Coronado CA | 619-437-4474 |
Hilton Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-543-9000 |
University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
Finca North Park | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
Rosemary Trattoria | Coronado CA | 619-669-8435 |
Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
Fernside | San Diego CA | 619-398-5156 |
Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-379-2574 |
Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
Marriott Courtyard - Broadway | San Diego CA | 619-446-3008 |
Mimmos Italian Village | San Diego CA | 619-239-3710 |
Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
SIE Culinary Management | San Diego CA | 858-964-8677 |
The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
Olive Tree Marketplace | San Diego CA | 619-224-0443 |
California Center for the Arts | Escondido CA | 760-839-4107 |
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza | Oceanside CA | 760-310-1535 |
Davanti Enoteca Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-237-9606 |
Spirit of Adventure Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-454-9711 |
Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019 | Carlsbad CA | 760-944-1111 |
Capri Blu 2020 | San Diego CA | 858-673-5100 |
San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
Manhattan of La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0700 |
Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina | San Diego CA | 619-921-4206 |
Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
Crafted @ Minerva's Cafe | La Jolla CA | 858-699-4129 |
Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
Town & Country San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-291-7131 |
RoVino Rotisserie + Wine | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
Caffe Calabria Coffee Roasting Company | San Diego CA | 619-683-7787 |
Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-436-7006 |
La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
Sushi Nekosan | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0999 |
Mimoza Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-228-9357 |
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
Candor | La Jolla CA | 858-581-2205 |
La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
Leucadia Pizza Point Loma | San Diego CA | 619-295-2222 |
Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 |
Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619 295 7275 |
Leucadia Pizza Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-530-2222 |
American Pizza Manufacturing | La Jolla CA | 858-246-6756 |
Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
Viejas Casino Banquets | Alpine Ca | 619-295-3172 |
Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
Milton's Delicatessen, Grill & Bakery | Del Mar CA | 858-792-2225 |
Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
Sisters Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
Village Pizzeria Bay Side | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
Siamo Napoli | San Diego CA | 619-300-4810 |
Tahona (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
Le Parfait Paris- Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-245-4457 |
US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
Bernini's Bistro | La Jolla CA | 858-454-5013 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Purple Eggplant. One is easiest, three is harder.