Eggplant

Rosa Bianca Organic ($3.50) – 80 days Midseason, open – pollinated, Italian heirloom.  3-4 inch by 5 inch, 2 – 4 pound white fruit with lavender streaks and a creamy, pudding-like flesh.  Fruit is narrow at the top, widening with indentations almost in folds like fabric.  Organically grown seed.

Native to India, the eggplant has been cultivated for 1500 years in Asia.  It is known as Aubergine or Brinjal in many countries, it adapted the Eggplant name from early American settlers because early varieties resembled goose eggs.  It is a member of the Solanium family close relation to peppers, Potatoes and tomatoes.  Eggplants come in many different shapes and colors, relative to the ethnic groups.  Eggplants are a source of folic acid. 

(Tip) Eggplant: Eggplant is a warm season plant similar to Tomatoes.  Start indoors in April – May or 8 weeks before planting in the garden.  Transplant outdoors after danger of frost is gone and night time temperatures are above 50F.  You can see requirements of Tomatoes for more cultural information.  Harvest before becoming fully mature for longer storage.