Baby eggplants are small, tender, and full of flavor, making them a great ingredient for all kinds of dishes. Here are some of the best baby eggplant recipes from Cooking in the Keys to help you enjoy one of our very favorite vegetables.
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Varieties of Small Eggplants
Baby eggplants come in a range of colors, from deep purple to white and striped, and stay small, growing no more than four inches long.
Their compact size and mild flavor make them perfect for home cooked meals.
- Fairy Tale eggplants are small, purple-and-white striped, with a sweet, creamy texture that's perfect for roasting or grilling.
- Graffiti eggplants, also known as striped eggplants, have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and tender skin, making them great for sautéing or baking.
- Indian baby eggplants are deep purple and commonly used in curries or stuffed dishes.
- Japanese Baby Eggplant are long, thin-skinned, and naturally sweet.
- Thai Eggplants are small, round, green or purple, firm texture, often used in curries.
- White Eggplant is small, oval, creamy white, mild flavor, and soft texture.
Roasted Fairytale Eggplant Recipe
Roasted Fairytale eggplants make a beautiful appetizer or side dish. Just season them, roast in the oven, and they're ready to serve in 30 minutes.
Perfect with lemon basil roasted chicken or baked snapper.
Fried Baby Eggplant with Sour Cream Dip
Fried Baby Eggplant with Sour Cream Dip is a simple and delicious appetizer. Baby eggplants are coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs. They're fried until golden and crispy.
Serve them for a great snack or party dish.
Baby Eggplant Parmigiana
This Baby Eggplant Parmesan uses small purple eggplants layered with marinara, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, then bakes into a rich, flavorful side or appetizer.
Serve with cauliflower rice for a full gluten free low starch dinner.
Roasted Baby Eggplant Poppers
Learn how to roast baby eggplant poppers for a delicious, bite-sized appetizer or side dish. These unbreaded roasted eggplant bites are tender, flavorful, and perfect for snacking or entertaining.
Serve with lamb chops or strip steak for a great high-protein, low-carb meal!
Baby Eggplant Ratatouille
Ratatouille is a classic French dish made with fresh summer vegetables. Baby eggplants, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes simmer with garlic and herbs until tender and full of flavor.
Serve it as a side dish or spoon it over rice or pasta for a healthy fresh meal.
Small Eggplant Recipes
Small eggplants are easy to cook and full of flavor. You can roast them in the oven, fry them for a crispy bite, or incorporate them into stews and stir-fries. They're great stuffed with cheese or meat, or sautéed for a quick side dish.
There's no need to salt or peel them. Their soft skin and mild taste make them perfect for a variety of recipes, from simple appetizers to main dishes.
They cook fast and absorb seasonings well, making them perfect for different recipes. Whether you bake, pan-fry, or stuff them, small eggplants turn soft and delicious.
Try them in appetizers, sides, or main dishes for a simple and tasty meal.
For something a little different, try Eggplant Parmesan Without Frying. Made with long, slender Japanese eggplants, ricotta, mozzarella, and fresh breadcrumbs, it's baked instead of fried for a lighter dish that still tastes rich.
More Vegetable Recipes
Baby vegetables aren't just picked early. They're grown to stay small. These tiny, tender, and naturally sweet veggies are great for roasting, snacking, or tossing into salads.
We just added a baked eggplant recipe made with long, thin Japanese eggplants. While they aren't baby eggplants, they're tender and have very few seeds, so there's no need to peel them or salt them ahead of time.
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