Below: This eggplant looks ready, but when we picked it and cut it open, it was not ready and had no seeds.
Below: Here is a newly formed eggplant that I found when I came back from my vacay. In about a week, it will be the same size as the above.
For those who know, in the future, how long should I wait before I pick? Cucumber update on the way tomorrow.
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10 comments:
Wow! I would of thought it was ready to pick and eat!
I think the harvest size has more to do with what you want to do with them. If you are making something like eggplant parmesan you would want big eggplants. If you where making a stir-fry you would want younger more tender eggplants.
Now I am no eggplant expert through, I have never managed to grow anything as good looking as yours. Maybe this year will be the year. :-)
Your eggplants look great. I grew a few last year for the first time, and could never decide when to harvest them. I learned that it's better to harvest them earlier than later. If you leave them too long (as I did) they turn to seed inside and really can't be eaten.
Hi DP, lovely eggplants, I am envious, we haven't even gotten flowers yet! I like to cook with them small though, so seeds or not, they are more tender then. For the eggplant parm. the larger is normally used, but not necessary. I bet they invented that dish to use eggplants that had been left on the plant too long and got too big!
I'm with the others-pick early and with no seeds!
I think you're ok picking them that size. A couple of years ago I picked some Ichabods (I think that's what you said you had) and when I cut it open (lengthwise) I thought it wasn't ready but then I grilled it (skin side down, so it was like 2 canoes, drizzle with some olive oil, maybe season with whatever you like) and it cooked up so nice. We just ate the inside with a spoon once it softened.
Hi Dawn-I agree. I did go ahead and pick it. I think I will wait a few days longer next time.
Hi Dan-That's a great suggestion. I don't eat eggplant that often, so I didn't really know what to expect. Next time, I will cut the eggplant open and then decide what dish to make it with. Maybe a stir-fry is a good idea. I am Vietnamese after all. :-) (Good luck with your eggplants this year!!)
Hi John- Thanks for the tip. I hope I don't wait too long to harvest the other eggplants. So you can't eat the seeds? All the eggplants that I've ever eaten usually have large seeds. That's why I thought my eggplant was too young to eat. But I guess I was wrong. I won't make that mistake again! Thanks for visiting!
Hi Frances- Good luck with your eggplants. Once they start to flower, for me, it was a few weeks before I saw any baby eggplants start to grow. But they'll come. Everyone is suggesting eggplant parm! I think I'll have to find a good recipe and try it out!
Hi Tina- Thanks for the suggestion. I guess picking early isn't too bad. I thought eggplants needed to have seeds to be ripe. haha, I guess I was wrong! I'll post pictures of what I decide to cook.
Hi Cindy- You are right, we do have ichabod eggplants. Your recipe sounds really delish! I may have to try it once my new eggplants are ready for harvest. Thanks for visiting!
I have never grown egg plant before either, so I am glad you have this posting today. We are growing the same egg plant being, ichabod. The egg plant you are familiar with that have seeds, are a different type. They grow fatter almost round in shape and are used in dishes such as Egg Plant Parmesan. Ichabod grows long and lean. I just learned this at the market this past weekend upon observation. I was wondering what we were going to do with our eggs. I like the idea’s of stir fry or the grill suggested. We have several growing so hopefully we can try them both ways and decide which we like best…
That was going to be my question and then you asked! These are beautiful plants!
gail
Hi Skeeter- Thanks for reminding me of the difference. I also am growing a regular eggplant (the rounder ones), but that plant is actually a slow grower. It finally flowered yesterday, but not babies as of yet. The ichabods grow pretty quickly though! Let me know which dish you decide to whip up with your eggplants. I'm excited to hear which recipe you like more. I may make a casserole too!
Hi Gail- I agree, they are beautiful plants. Beautiful and delicious veggies!
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