Eggplant , Solanum melongena , is accommodate to cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 10 .

It choose full Lord’s Day and organically - rich , well - draining soil . Depending upon the variety , industrial plant maturate 24 to 48 in tall and 16 to 36 inches wide .

We link to vendors to help oneself you find relevant products . If you buy from one of our tie-in , we may earn a direction .

A close up horizontal image of freshly harvested Italian eggplants in a variety of colors in a plastic tray.

A summer garden classic , eggplant is a fruit we eat as a vegetable in formula ranging from bread and fry to roasted or pickled .

And while they are native to India , multifariousness that have become widely cultivated in the Mediterranean region are name Italian eggplants .

In ourguide to uprise eggplant , we discourse all you need to cognise for cultivation .

A close up vertical image of purple and white striped Italian eggplants growing in the garden pictured in light sunshine. To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white printed text.

This guide introduces 15 typical Italian mad apple and some highlights of each . Get quick to select your favorites !

Here ’s the card :

15 of the Best Italian Eggplant Varieties

get ’s get embark on , or in Italian , Iniziamo !

Unlike the orotund American or world eggplant typically found in the produce gangway , Italian varieties typically have fewer seeds and are small , sweet-smelling , and thinner - skinned , with more tender flesh .

brinjal takes 100 to 150 days to mature when started from seeded player or 55 to 85 Day from the transplant degree .

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Italian variety are generally quite small and mature early . The days to due date noted in each of the entries below are from the transplant stage .

And now , here they are , 15 Italian eggplant change to quicken your appetite :

1. Aretussa

‘ Aretussa ’ is a intercrossed cultivar that produces cylindricalwhite fruitsthat standard six to eight inch long , with tender skin and modest flesh .

‘ Aretussa ’

livid mad apple offer a striking presentation , especially when serve whole and stuffed .

A close up square image of three ‘Barbarella’ eggplants set on a jute fabric surface.

Take care not to spite the yield when you glean them – after close to 65 day .

‘ Aretussa ’ seed areavailable on Amazonin packages of 300 .

2. Barbarella

The fruits of hybrid ‘ Barbarella ’ are rounded with cryptical plait like an heirloom tomato . The shining pelt has a Battle of Magenta rosiness under the calyx that shades to thick purpleness .

‘ Barbarella ’

Four- to five - inch - long , rounded fruits are quick to harvest after 65 mean solar day . Enjoy them whole and stuffed , or sliced and grilled .

A close up of a packet of ‘Long Purple’ eggplant seeds with text to the left of the frame and a hand-drawn illustration to the right.

‘ Barbarella ’ seed are useable in software system of 50at Walmart .

seminal fluid are alsoavailable from Isla ’s Garden Seeds via Amazon , in packages of approximately 20 .

3. Beatrice

Early - ripen hybrid ‘ Beatrice ’ is ready to peck in about 62 Day . Appreciated for its high yields , this bollock - influence assortment bring on four- to six - column inch violet fruits .

Tender hide you do n’t have to peel , and a mild , creamy flavor characterize this mixture .

4. Dancer

The cylindrical to teardrop - form fruits of ‘ Dancer ’ are Battle of Magenta and measure seven to eight column inch long . Expect due date in 65 days from this high - yielding motley .

Firm enough to grillroom , ‘ social dancer ’ has creamy white form that cooks up tender and mild .

5. Long Purple

With violet cylindric or teardrop - influence fruit appraise eight to 10 inches long , the name ‘ retentive Purple ’ suit this supply ship and tasty choice .

Also known as ‘ Early foresightful ’ or ‘ Italian Heirloom , ’ this heirloom smorgasbord has a mild flavor and thin hide .

‘ foresightful purpleness ‘

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Fruits mature in 70 to 80 days .

‘ Long Purple ’ seed areavailable from Botanical Interests .

pick out from packet of 100 conventional seeds or packets of 60 organic seeds .

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6. Nadia

High - grant ‘ Nadia ’ is a intercrossed variety that produces mystifying purple - skinned , oblong yield that quantify seven to eight column inch long .

‘ Nadia ’ is more cold - tolerant than other varieties and will continue to position yield as the weather cools at season ’s end .

‘ Nadia ’

A close up of ‘Rosa Bianca’ eggplants growing in the garden.

Firm skins and flesh are especially suit to grilling , frying , and bake .

Fruits are quick for harvest in about 70 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .

‘ Nadia ’ seed areavailable on Amazonin packages of 25 .

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7. Paloma

The egg - shaped fruit of ‘ Paloma ’ are white-hot and light blackguard , with a length of up to four and a half in . They have raw skin and flesh , a dulcet taste , and a creamy mouthfeel .

This robust intercrossed salmagundi produces an abundant harvest in 65 days . Take aid not to offend the skin when cull .

8. Pianta Delle Uova

The quintessential “ eggplant , ” ‘ Pianta Delle Uova ’ produces two- to four - column inch egg - influence fruits with tender white to tan skin and sweet , creamy anatomy .

‘ Pianta Delle Uova ’

Also known as the “ Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree of eggs , ” this heirloom form is appreciated for its prolific fruit production and ornamental appeal . Expect matureness in 70 to 80 day .

A close up of a single ‘Shooting Stars’ Italian eggplant set on a gray surface.

‘ Pianta Delle Uova ’ seed areavailable on Amazonin computer software of 25 .

9. Prosperosa

Hybrid ‘ Prosperosa ’ concede round fruit , four- to five - inches in diam . They are violet with thick tantalization and white emphasis .

This midget variety is particularly well - suited to stuffing for private portions .

‘ Prosperosa ’

A close up square image of freshly harvested ‘Traviata’ eggplants in a wicker basket set on a wooden surface.

Creamy white flesh and sweetened goodness are yours in 75 to 80 day .

‘ Prosperosa ’ seed areavailable from True Leaf Marketin packages containing two grams , one apothecaries' ounce , four ounces , one punt , five pounds , and 25 pounds .

10. Rosa Bianca

The little ball of open - cross-pollinate ‘ Rosa Bianca ’ are lavender - rose with whitened highlight and measure five to six inches in diam .

Sweet and mild , these versatile fruits slash well and are an excellent choice for baking and ridicule .

‘ Rosa Bianca ’

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One of the subsequently - maturing varieties , you ’ll have to enjoy delicious prevision for 80 to 85 24-hour interval until maturity .

‘ Rosa Bianca ’ seeds areavailable from Burpeein packages of 50 . private starter plant are also uncommitted singly or in computer software of three .

you may also find ejaculate usable in a miscellanea of packet size and in bulkfrom High Mowing Seeds .

11. Rotunda Romanesca

Heirloom ‘ Rotunda Romanesca ’ offers round , deep ridge lavender - gloomy and white fruits that measure three to five inches in diam .

‘ Rotunda Romanesca ’

quick to harvest in 75 days , fruits have a balmy savour with a meaty texture .

‘ Rotunda Romanesca ’ seeds areavailable on Amazonin packages of 10 , 25 , 50 , and 100 .

12. Shooting Stars

‘ Shooting Stars , ’ aka ‘ Graffiti , ’ boasts purple and white stripy teardrop - regulate fruit that measure three to four inches long .

The skin is tender , and the white material body is creamy and almost fruity with sweetness . During cookery , the stripes vanish like deception .

‘ shoot Stars ’

This early - mature , heirloom assortment is ready for find fault in about 60 days .

‘ Shooting Stars ’ seeds areavailable from Burpeein packages of 30 . Single starter plants or a three - plant mixture and match combination are also uncommitted .

13. Snowy

Open - cross-pollinate ‘ Snowy ’ have blank , cylindric fruit measuring up to seven inches long .

They have a mild savor , meaty flesh , and strong cutis , making them suitable for your favorite slow - cooked dishes .

‘ Snowy ’

This early - mature cultivar is ready to harvest in 60 to 65 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .

‘ Snowy ’ seeds areavailable from honest Leaf Marketin packages containing two Hans C. J. Gram , one ounce , four ounces , or one pound sign .

14. Traviata

The six- to eight - in oblong fruit of ‘ Traviata ’ are shiny and deep purple , almost black . The cutis and flesh are firm for use in a mixture of dishes .

‘ Traviata ’

Hybrid ‘ Traviata ’ matures in 55 to 60 days and bring about a steady supply of produce for harvest .

‘ Traviata ’ seed areavailable from High Mowing Seedsin a variety of packet sizes and in majority .

15. Violetta di Firenze

The glistening , rounded purple fruit of heirloom ‘ Violetta di Firenze ’ are splashed with white . The deep pleating is like that of anheirloom tomato . They assess five to six inches around .

‘ Violetta di Firenze ’

Firm and flavorful , this variety offer a meaty yet tender chomp with creamy flesh .

Harvest in approximately 75 to 90 years .

‘ Violetta di Firenze ’ seeds areavailable from La Semiorto Sementi via Amazonin four - gm package .

Buon Appetito!

With 15 Italian eggplant motley from which to select , it ’s time to take out yourgarden plannerand decide where you ’re going to put your pet .

When your first harvest home is in , jump over toour sister site , Foodal , for delicious eggplant recipes .

pocket-sized , honeyed , and tender Italian eggplants with few come are certain to please the buffet car around your tabular array .

One last note : As you frequent for cum , notice descriptions like “ heirloom ” and “ non - gmo . ” Some variety show are hybridized for greater disease impedance and productivity , particularly in commercial-grade preferences .

Others are genetically modified and parthenocarpic , which means that they can set fruit inside a greenhouse or poly - tunnel without pollination .

Please readseed descriptions and packet labelswith care so you know on the nose what you are purchasing .

If you enjoyed this article and wouldlike to see more about growing eggplant , we recommend these templet next :

© take the Experts , LLC . ALL right hand RESERVED.See our TOSfor more particular . Product photos via Amazon , Botanical Interests , Burpee , Eggplant Seeds , High Mowing Seeds , La Semiorto Sementi , True Leaf Market , and Walmart . Uncredited photo : Shutterstock .

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Nan Schiller