Italian Eggplant Mess/Pasticcio Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is eggplant called in Italy? ›

In. #italian they're called melanzana.

Bianca Eggplant

These large round oval eggplants are an Italian heirloom variety with a thin, light purple and white skin. The meat is sweet and creamy. Woods recommends this eggplant for stuffing or making eggplant Parmesan.

Italian eggplants are oblong and small to medium in size, averaging 20-25 centimeters in length, and have a bulbous base that tapers slightly to the stem. The outer skin is glossy, smooth, and ranges in color from lavender to a deep purple.

Characterized by their long, narrow shape, both Japanese and Chinese eggplant can be hard to differentiate. Japanese eggplant tends to have a much deeper purple color, while Chinese eggplant is usually lighter, more lavender-purple, and is sometimes even longer.

6. Italian Eggplant. Not to be confused with its doppelganger the globe eggplant, the Italian eggplant has a similar color and shape, but is slightly smaller and sweeter. Plus, it has a more tender flesh than it's meatier American counterpart.

SICILIAN EGGPLANT

Italian Eggplant, also called “Baby Egg- plant”, looks like Regular Eggplant only smaller and more slender. This variety is ideal for roasting and can be used in ways similar to regular eggplant.

One of the most popular was the long, thin, purple eggplant from Taiwan known as Ping Tung. This is an exceptional eggplant with sweet, pleasant tasting flesh. The plants are incredibly prolific and produce throughout the entire season.

Italian Eggplant

These large dark purple eggplants are a bit smaller than globe eggplants and often have a teardrop shape. They tend to have a sweeter flavor than globe eggplant.

Originally from India, the eggplant was widely used in North Africa, from where the Moors took it to Sicily. While the eggplant became a “much-loved staple food” for the Sicilians, Nacamulli says, it was regarded with suspicion and looked down on by central and northern Italians.

Classic Italian Eggplant Care

Space plants 12 inches apart and provide stakes early. These plants get top heavy as they produce fruit and will need added support. Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Eggplants can stand slightly drier soil conditions than other vegetables in the garden.

Why are eggplants so expensive? ›

During peak growing seasons, when there's an abundance of eggplants, prices tend to be lower. Conversely, during off-seasons or when supply is limited, prices may rise due to increased demand. The cost of eggplants can also vary based on where they are grown and distributed.

Can You Eat Eggplant Raw? Luckily, the answer is yes! While the leaves and flowers can be toxic, the eggplant itself is safe to consume both raw and cooked, and the compound that some might be sensitive to, solanine, is only toxic when consumed in large quantities.

Age and Size: Whether an eggplant is mildly or extremely bitter can depend on the age and size of the fruit. (Yes, eggplant is a fruit.) Larger, more mature eggplants can be more bitter, typically because their seeds are larger and seeds tend to hold on to the most bitter flavors.

Many Italian dishes are built around the eggplant which is considered “the supreme queen of Sicilian cooking,” from Fragrances and Flavors of Sicilian Cuisine. It can simply be sliced, grilled and drizzled with olive oil for a nice appetizer, or sliced, dipped in egg and bread crumbs and fried.

Eggplant Parmesan, known as "Melanzane alla Parmigiana" in Italian, is a popular dish in Italy. It is specifically associated with Southern Italian cuisine, particularly in the Campania region, where Naples is located.

Aubergine or Eggplant

The British word for eggplant is aubergine, which has French, Catalan, and Arabic origins. Some say the less common white varieties of the typically purple plant led to the name used in the United States, but the terms are generally interchangeable regardless of color or shape.

Mulignan(s) /moo. lin. yan(s)/ n. 1. Italian-American slang for a black man.