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Eggplants are in peak season from July through October.
Is eggplant in season right now?
SEASON: Although available year-round, eggplant is at its peak from July to October. CHOOSING: When selecting, look for eggplants with firm, glossy skin. Size and color vary widely among types, but the eggplant should feel heavy. Avoid those with wrinkled skin, soft spots, or brown patches.
When should you not eat eggplant?
When eggplant goes bad, one way to tell is that it will have dark spots on it and you may notice an unpleasant smell. You should never consume eggplant if it has gone bad as the taste and smell will be unpleasant.
Can I buy eggplant in winter?
Produce, All Year Round Shopping out of season may conjure up images of engorged strawberries in November, but it can also mean eggplants and tomatoes for an eggplant Parmesan on a cozy winter night in.
Are eggplants sold year round?
Eggplant is available year-round, but it’s at its best in August and September. Choose an eggplant that is heavy for its size. It should have a fresh cap of leaves, and the skin should be shiny and free of brown spots. Supermarkets typically carry globe and Japanese or Chinese eggplants.
Is eggplant in season in California?
New Jersey is the second largest U.S. pro- ducer with harvests from July through October. California produces 19 percent of U.S. eggplant with harvests from April through December.
Is eggplant good for u?
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.
How long do eggplants last in the refrigerator?
To refrigerate, wrap in a paper towel and place in a reusable container or perforated plastic bag in the crisper section of your refrigerator for use within 5 – 7 days. Eggplant may also be blanched or steamed then frozen for up to six months.
What are the black dots in eggplant?
The center of the spots lighten in color, and you can see circles of small black, pimple-like dots that are actually the fruiting bodies, or spores. On fruit, phomopsis blight of eggplant begins with pale, sunken spots that may eventually take over the entire fruit. Tiny, black spots are visible in abundance.
What vegetables should not be eaten raw?
In this blog, we discuss a list of vegetables that should never be consumed raw. Potatoes. Uncooked potatoes not only taste bad but can also lead to digestive problems. Cruciferous Vegetables. Red Kidney Beans. Mushrooms. Eggplant. French Beans.
How long is eggplant season?
Eggplants are in peak season from July through October.
Does eggplant like cold weather?
Answer: Don’t blame yourself. Eggplant is a heat-loving vegetable that does best in temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower temperatures inhibit pollination and fruit-set; at 50 degrees, the flowers will drop.
Is eggplant cold hardy?
Although they are related, eggplants are much less cold hardy than tomatoes. If you plant your eggplants out before overnight low temperatures are consistently above 50°F, they will suffer from the chill. They may never recover and bear fruit.
Can you eat all parts of an eggplant?
Preparing Eggplants The skin is entirely edible, though with larger eggplants it can be a little tough. If your eggplant is young, tender, and on the small side, the nutrient-rich skin can probably be left on for skillet frying or braising. Otherwise, peel the skin and then slice or cube the flesh.
Can eggplant be frozen?
Eggplant Varieties to Freeze While all eggplants become more watery after freezing, some types freeze better than others. Black varieties usually hold up better after freezing than Chinese and Thai eggplants. If you intend to fry the eggplant later or layer it into vegetable lasagna, you can bread it before freezing.
Is an eggplant a fruit?
Eggplants, also known as aubergines, belong to the nightshade family of plants and are used in many different dishes around the world. Although often considered a vegetable, they’re technically a fruit, as they grow from a flowering plant and contain seeds.
Where are eggplants grown in the US?
The majority of eggplant production is located in South Jersey, especially Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem and Atlantic counties, and smaller production sites are also located in Monmouth and Burlington counties. Production is mainly for wholesale shipment to the eastern U.S. and Canada, depending on the time of year.
What fruit is best in December?
Fresh citrus like grapefruit, oranges, tangerines and mandarins are in season! As an excellent source of Vitamin C, citrus can help keep those pesky colds away or try your hand at one of these 16 Kid-Friendly Citrus Recipes!Dec 1, 2018.
What is California State fruit?
Avocado Type Symbol Year Fruit Avocado Persea americana 2013 Gemstone Benitoite 1985 Gold Rush Ghost Town Bodie 2002 Grain Rice 2013.
Can eggplant be eaten raw?
There’s certainly no shortage of ways to enjoy eggplant! While it can be eaten raw, eggplant is even most wonderful when it’s grilled, baked, braised or cooked and pureed into a dip.
Why is it called eggplant?
Well, way back in the 1700s, early European versions of eggplant were smaller and yellow or white. They looked like goose or chicken eggs, which led to the name “eggplant.” The eggplant has been around for a long, long time. It’s native to India and Southeast Asia.