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How to Harvest Japanese Eggplants. Prepare to harvest Japanese eggplants around 70 to 80 days after transplanting, or when they’re about the size of a finger (for the Little Finger variety) or a hot dog (for the Ichiban variety), and the skin is glossy and wrinkle-free.
How do you know when Japanese eggplant is ripe?
Signs of Ripe Japanese Eggplant It should be shiny and firm. If you press your finger on the skin, it shouldn’t leave a dent in the flesh. Pick your eggplants before while they’re still young for the best flavor and texture. They should only be from 3 to 6 inches long, which is young enough for the sweetest flavor.
How do you know when eggplants are ripe?
Ripe eggplants should be firm but not hard. Flesh should be white with a slight green tint (orange eggplants ripen orange/green inside). If you are unsure of your eggplant’s ripeness, cut one crosswise and check the seeds. They should be clearly visible.
How big do Japanese eggplants grow?
A healthy and mature Japanese eggplant plant will take up about 3 feet of space in the garden for its canopy to expand and will grow about 4 feet tall. Space the plants a minimum of 24 inches apart so that the leaves and fruit aren’t crowded. The eggplants need to be in well-drained soil that is rich in nutrients.
How long do Japanese eggplants grow?
Add a cage to your eggplant to help support stems when heavy with fruit. Place in full sun, and feed regularly. Matures in 50 to 60 days.
What is the difference between eggplant and Japanese eggplant?
Japanese eggplant are slightly smaller than Chinese eggplant and have the same dark purple skin as the American and Italian varieties. Also quick cooking but not as mild as Chinese eggplant, they’re excellent for grilling and broiling, and they stand up to the assertive flavors of garlic, soy, and ginger.
How do you pick eggplant at the grocery store?
“Eggplant should be slightly firm but not hard,” says Leone. In other words, if you push on it with your finger and the veggie feels very soft, or you’re able to puncture the skin, it’s too far gone. A perfectly ripe eggplant will not have as much give when touched as a ripe tomato or peach.
Do eggplants ripen off the vine?
Eggplants do not ripen off the vine and deteriorate rapidly, becoming spongy. Eat the eggplant as soon as possible after picking it. You can store it overnight at room temperature.
How many eggplants do you get per plant?
The standard eggplant produces egg-shaped, glossy, purple-black fruit. ‘Black Beauty’ is the traditional eggplant size. One plant produces 4 to 6 large rounded fruit.
Is unripe eggplant poisonous?
False, raw eggplants are not poisonous. However, the leaves and flowers of the plant can be toxic. Plants in the nightshade family — which includes eggplants, potatoes, peppers, tomatoes and tomatillos — contain an alkaloid called solanine, which in very large doses can be poisonous.
Should you stake Japanese eggplant?
Like tomatoes and peppers, eggplants should be staked for optimum growth and yield (Figure 2). Staking keeps the eggplant fruit from touching the ground, which reduces disease and improves fruit shape, particularly on elongated fruit. Staking also makes harvesting easier.
What should you not plant next to eggplant?
Eggplant – A good companion for amaranth, beans, marigolds, peas, peppers, spinach, and thyme. Do not plant eggplants near fennel.
Why is my Japanese eggplant white?
If you have a purple eggplant turning white or developing a pale brown patch, that can be caused by sunscald. Eggplants are a heat-loving plant but direct sunlight can damage the fruit, causing brown or pale patches where the skin becomes leathery. Avoid it by planting scald-resistant varieties, or by providing shade.
Does eggplant need a lot of water?
Watering. Eggplant also needs consistent water, at least 1 inch per week. It is better to give one thorough soaking than several frequent, short waterings, because frequent watering promotes shallow roots.
What size should I pick Ichiban eggplant?
One of the first to mature; grows long, slender, midnight purple fruit. Upright, thornless plants are highly productive. These tender eggplants can be stir-fried, grilled, baked or fried. Prime when picked at 6-8 inches long.
Can you eat raw Japanese eggplant?
Like all other eggplant, Japanese eggplant is never eaten raw. Because of its firm texture, which turns creamy during cooking yet holds its shape, Japanese eggplant is especially good for baking, broiling, grilling, and stir-frying. All eggplant is a good source of dietary fiber, B vitamins, and potassium.
Can you use Japanese eggplant like regular eggplant?
In most recipes, the different types of eggplant are interchangeable. If you would like to serve a more delicate eggplant than the common type, use the mild-flavored, excellent Chinese and Japanese varieties. Some cooks are concerned that their eggplant might be bitter.
Are Japanese eggplant bitter?
Most raw eggplants are very bitter because of the seeds, but when cooked, they become soft, savory, and soak up sauces and oils. That’s why they taste so good in dishes like pasta with sauce, Moussaka, and Ratatouille.
How can you tell a female eggplant?
To sex an eggplant, look at the indentation at bottom. If it’s deep and shaped like a dash, it’s a female. If it’s shallow and round, it’s a male. Smaller eggplants also tend to be less bitter.
