What does an eggplant look like when cooked?
The outer skin is smooth and bright white with one bulbous end that tapers slightly to a green calyx. The cream-colored inner flesh is dense with many, edible white seeds. When cooked, White eggplants are creamy and mild with a light sweet flavor.
What are the different types of white eggplant?
Common White Eggplant Varieties. Here are some of the more popular varieties of pure white eggplant, as well as mottled or striped white eggplant cultivars: Casper – long, zucchini-shaped fruit with solid white skin. Clara – long, thin, white fruit. Japanese White Egg – medium sized, round, pure white fruit.
What is the difference between eggplant purple and white?
If you've never come across white eggplants the shiny white skinned fruits tend to be smaller than their purple allies, at three to six inches long and egg or pear shaped. The cream white flesh inside also tends to be denser, creamier, milder, less acidic and less bitter, as well as having more seeds.
How long does it take for eggplant to turn white?
Easter egg – Shaped like an egg with white skin, and takes 52 to 64 days to mature Young, white eggplants turn white or cream colored, and have glossy, firm skin. This is the best time to pick them because they haven’t reached full maturity, which results in a bitter flavor and spongy texture.
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Are white eggplants edible?
White eggplants are best suited for cooked applications such as sautéing, pan-frying, deep-frying, grilling, and baking. Their skins are firmer than purple varieties and should be peeled before cooking. They can be sliced and grilled, used in stir-fries or sautéed with other vegetables as a side dish.
Is white eggplant real?
There are still many cultivars of the white eggplant around today. Some are old heirloom varieties, while others are more recently cultivated hybrids. And the fruits of these varieties come in all sorts of shapes and sizes – small and round, long and thin, or plump and oval.
Is white eggplant tasty?
White eggplants are less common than their purple counterparts, but they are sweeter, creamier, and denser, which makes them really delicious when cooked.
Why did my eggplant turn white?
If you have a purple eggplant turning white or developing a pale brown patch, that can be caused by sunscald. Eggplants are a heat-loving plant but direct sunlight can damage the fruit, causing brown or pale patches where the skin becomes leathery.
What is the difference between white and purple eggplant?
When comparing the size, the white eggplant is smaller to purple eggplant. Unlike the purple eggplant, the white ones come less bitter, denser and creamier. Another difference seen between the two eggplants is in the seeds. When compared to purple eggplants, the white eggplants come with more seeds.
Do you peel white eggplant?
While the skin of a white eggplant may be tougher than purple eggplants and should be peeled off before cooking, the dense white flesh makes them better suited to baking, steaming or frying as they can hold their shape better.
How do you know when a white eggplant is ripe?
Ripe eggplants should feel firm to the touch but not hard, with white, glossy skin. Give the eggplant a light tap: if it makes a dull sound, that's also a sign that it's ripe and ready to be picked.
How do you keep eggplant white?
To prevent this from happening, prepare a bowl of water in advance prior to cutting eggplant. Then add a tablespoonful of milk to it. Add the freshly cut eggplant to this and it will not blacken.
How do you peel white eggplant?
0:041:10How to Peel & Cut an Eggplant | Cooking Basics by YummlyYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith a sharp knife cut off both ends of the eggplant. Use a peeler to remove all the skin. Use aMoreWith a sharp knife cut off both ends of the eggplant. Use a peeler to remove all the skin. Use a sharp knife to make round slices.
Why is my eggplant not purple?
Eggplants naturally turn yellow/brown when they fully ripen, as purple eggplants are technically underripe fruit. However, fully ripe eggplants are not really edible, so pick them before they turn yellow. Note that some eggplant varieties are naturally yellow when unripe, too.
What color were eggplants originally?
The first eggplants grown weren't the large purple varieties frequently grown today, but rather small, white varieties with fruits shaped like eggs (thus the name eggplant). Different cultures grow various types of eggplant.
Why is my eggplant turning GREY?
Fusarium wilt or eggplant yellows are a fungal disease which attacks plant roots and spreads into the plant's vascular system. Plant in well-drained soil. Rotate crops. Remove and destroy infected plants; older plants may be harvested and then uprooted and thrown away.
Are there different types of eggplant?
Here are 11 of the most common types of eggplants, and how to cook them.Chinese Eggplant. purple chinese eggplants stacked on top of each other. ... Fairy Tale Eggplant. ... Globe/American Eggplant. ... Graffiti/Zebra/Sicilian Eggplant. ... Indian Eggplant. ... Italian Eggplant. ... 7. Japanese Eggplant. ... Little Green Eggplant.More items...•
How do you keep eggplant white?
To prevent this from happening, prepare a bowl of water in advance prior to cutting eggplant. Then add a tablespoonful of milk to it. Add the freshly cut eggplant to this and it will not blacken.
How do you know when a white eggplant is ripe?
Identify Ripe White Eggplants If you want to be sure about the ripeness, you can cut one open and look at the seeds. They should be white or ivory colored. If the seeds look dark, then the fruit is overripe. If the skin on your white eggplants turns yellow, that is a sign that they're overripe.
Is white brinjal good for health?
Eggplant has antioxidants like vitamins A and C, which help protect your cells against damage. It's also high in natural plant chemicals called polyphenols, which may help cells do a better job of processing sugar if you have diabetes.
Current Facts
White eggplants, botanically classified as Solanum melongena, are a part of the Solanaceae, or nightshade family along with potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers. There are two categorically different White eggplants, an ornamental species and the commonly domesticated species.
Nutritional Value
White eggplants are high in potassium and also offer some B vitamins, magnesium, and copper.
Applications
White eggplants are best suited for cooked applications such as sautéing, pan-frying, deep-frying, grilling, and baking. Their skins are firmer than purple varieties and should be peeled before cooking. They can be sliced and grilled, used in stir-fries, or sautéed with other vegetables as a side dish.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include White Eggplant. One is easiest, three is harder.
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White vs. purple eggplants?
If you've never come across white eggplants the shiny white skinned fruits tend to be smaller than their purple allies, at three to six inches long and egg or pear shaped. The cream white flesh inside also tends to be denser, creamier, milder, less acidic and less bitter, as well as having more seeds.
Recipes with White Eggplants
White aubergines can be used in recipes, just like purple eggplants. Try this recipe from the NY Times for a smokey white eggplant soup or the Great British Chefs for authoritative advice on how to best prepare aubergines. Or simply try your hand at a comforting eggplant lasagne with lashings of gorgonzola. Delicious.
White vs. Purple
Compared to purple varieties, many of the white cultivars have thinner skin, which is why they aren’t usually seen in supermarkets.
9 of the Best White Eggplant Varieties for Your Garden
Ready for your tour through the world of unpigmented eggplant? Let’s go! Here are nine of my favorite white eggplant varieties to grow in your garden.
A Plant By Any Other Name
Now that you’ve had the tour of these nine white cultivars, are you ready to put the egg back in your eggplant?
Step 1
Cut the eggplant into whatever shape you desire. Some people prefer cutting it in half lengthwise, while others prefer cutting it crosswise into thick slices. Keep your eggplant slices at least 1/2 inch thick to prevent them from becoming too limp during the grilling process.
Step 2
Drizzle both sides of the eggplant pieces with olive oil. Although you can use a basting brush to spread the olive oil across the eggplant, using your fingers is just as effective.
Step 3
Sprinkle your desired seasonings on both sides of the eggplant halves. For a simple flavor, use just salt and pepper. For more creative flavoring, consider using spicy mustard, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese or a drizzle of olive oil with lemon juice.
Step 4
Grill over medium-high heat for three to four minutes per side. The flesh and skin should develop a subtle golden brown color.
Step 5
Stack the eggplant slices on top of one another, if possible, and move them to an area of the grill away from direct heat. Let the eggplant sit in the covered grill for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 2
Cut the small white eggplants in half lengthwise. Sprinkle the flesh side with salt and pepper.
Step 3
Pour 1/4 cup of olive oil into a baking dish. Arrange the eggplant halves flesh side down in the oil.
Chinese Eggplant
China is the world’s top producer and consumer of eggplant, so it’s apt that the Chinese eggplant variety is so distinct. It has a lighter, almost pastel exterior, with a white flesh and sweeter taste that fits its appearance. The Chinese variety contains fewer seeds than globe eggplants, and are therefore less bitter.
Fairy Tale Eggplant
If a type of eggplant has ever stopped you in your tracks at the farmers’ market, it’s probably this one. Small and violet with mottled white stripes, this eggplant variety is such a looker it’s no wonder how it got its name. The interior is light, creamy, and delicately sweet, reflecting the beauty you see from the outside.
Globe Eggplant
Also known as American eggplants, globe eggplants are what you’re most likely to see in a supermarket. They’re much darker and wider and have a tougher, meatier texture than other varieties, and work well as a protein or bread substitute, as well as sliced within a larger dish like eggplant Parm.
Graffiti Eggplant
Also known as striped eggplants, graffiti eggplants are distinguishable by their purple and white exterior. Unlike other varieties, they don’t have a standard size. Their seeds and skin are pleasant, so they’re ideal for eating whole or pureeing. They taste similar to standard eggplants, but also have a delicate sweetness.
Indian Eggplant
Purple and spherical, Indian eggplants—also known as baby eggplants—are known for their small, round appearance and tender texture. The velvety interior works well in soups, stews, and dips, but you can also prepare Indian eggplants whole.
Italian Eggplant
Italian eggplants are like smaller, slightly sweeter, versions of globe eggplants that still maintain a thick, spongy texture. The sweeter notes in Italian eggplant work well with salty and umami flavors, such as those in meat or cheese, making them perfect for an eggplant Parmesan or a layered dish like lasagna.
Japanese Eggplant
Japanese eggplants, like the Chinese variety, have an oblong shape, but they’re not quite as long or thin and have a darker hue. They have a delicate, spongy texture that works well in stir-fries and a creamy, slightly sweet taste. Japanese eggplant is often grilled, as the variety takes on a beautiful, smoky flavor.
