The skin should be glossy and dark (for purple varieties) . If the skin turns dull, this indicates over maturity, so harvest immediately no matter what size. Harvest eggplants using pruning shears since the stem is tough. ... When fully ripe, eggplants will turn yellow, seedy, bitter and inedible.
How Big Should white eggplant be before picking?
White eggplants are ready to harvest when they are between 2 and 6 inches in diameter .
How do I know when to pick my white eggplant?
Harvesting: Pick when skin is glossy; dull fruit indicates over-ripeness. Both under-and over-ripe fruit tastes bitter. Pick white eggplants before skin turns yellow . Use pruning shears or a sharp knife to cut eggplants, keeping a short stub of stem attached.
Why is my purple eggplant turning white?
Discoloration and Other Eggplant Problems
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.
Is white eggplant good for you?
Eggplant is a high-fiber, low-calorie food that is rich in nutrients and comes with many potential health benefits. From reducing the risk of heart disease to helping with blood sugar control and weight loss, eggplants are a simple and delicious addition to any healthy diet.
Will eggplant ripen off the vine?
Eggplant is a warm-season vegetable plant that produces an oblong-shaped fruit. While it is not easy to ripen the eggplant fruit off the vine, the best-tasting ones are those picked at an immature size. The only time you want to allow the fruit to ripen on the vine is for seed production for future planting .
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 .
Can you eat unripe eggplant?
The thing is, eggplant won’t ripen off the vine, so there’s nothing to be done if it’s underripe. ... And before it’s picked, eggplant can be ripe enough to eat before it’s fully grown.
Why are my eggplants turning GREY?
Aluminum, tin, copper, iron and cast-iron are reactive metals that negatively interact with the pH levels of acidic foods such as eggplant . These metals result in the vegetable turning a dull gray or brown color.
Why is my eggplant changing color?
What causes this color change? ANSWER: Genes from the past are changing the color and taste of the summer season eggplants.
Why are my eggplants turning white?
One of the most common reasons eggplant leaves turn white is due to sun scorch . In this instance, the white color starts out as a small spot here and there and eventually spreads to engulf the entire leaf. In some cases, it can appear as if you have splashed a bottle of bleach throughout the garden.
Why is eggplant bad for you?
Eggplants are part of the nightshade family. Nightshades contain alkaloids, including solanine, which can be toxic. Solanine protects these plants while they are still developing. Eating the leaves or tubers of these plants can lead to symptoms such as burning in the throat, nausea and vomiting , and heart arrhythmias.
When should you not eat eggplant?
If an eggplant’s skin is getting withered and wrinkly, or if the fruit (yeah, eggplant is technically a fruit) is notably soft or squishy, or it just has soft spots anywhere, it’s rotting. If the stem is browning or developing mold – or if there’s mold anywhere else on it – it’s also time to discard the eggplant.
How long does it take for eggplant fruit to ripen?
Depending on the variety, most eggplants are ready for harvest about 65 to 80 days after transplanting from nursery seedlings. If you grow eggplants from seed, expect to wait 100 to 120 days.
Can you get food poisoning from eggplant?
Because eggplants belong to the nightshade family, they contain an alkaloid called solanine , which can be toxic if consumed in large amounts. ... People are generally at risk of solanine poisoning if they have eaten potatoes that have turned green, as they have the highest amount of solanine in them.
