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 .
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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 .
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 .
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 .
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 .
‘ 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 ‘
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 .
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 ’
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 .
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 .
‘ 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 ’
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 ’
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 :
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Nan Schiller