Roasted Baby Eggplants

What Are Baby Eggplants?

For this recipe, baby eggplants mean small, round Indian eggplants about the size of a chicken egg. They usually measure 2 to 4 inches long and have thin skin, tender flesh, and a mild, slightly sweet flavor.

Indian eggplants are also called baby eggplants, mini eggplants, or brinjals. Their compact size makes them ideal for roasting whole or halved.

Small eggplants are great for roasting, grilling, sautéing, or stuffing, and work well in stews and curries. Their size and texture make them easy to cook and perfect for soaking up flavor.

Where To Get Indian Eggplants

I live in the Florida Keys and cook every day, and finding ingredients can be a challenge. We have a Publix and a smaller grocery store, and neither one sells these little eggplants.

In 2020, when the cruise ships came to an abrupt stop, Miami was flooded with produce, and truckloads showed up in parking lots throughout the Keys.

I was learning to photograph food that year, and these beautiful purple eggplants practically landed in my lap. I could take as many as I wanted, and to be honest, I had never seen them before.

I cooked and photographed them all year. It's hard to get my husband, Michael, to eat his vegetables, but he loved these. I made miniature eggplant Parmesan and grilled eggplant, and I roasted them into these little bites, which he named "poppers."

Fast forward a few years, and the only place I can find them is a big open-air Mexican market in Miami, a 40-minute drive for me. It's out of the way, but worth the trip.

If you're looking for them, try Indian, Asian, or Latin markets, which often sell them loose in bins.

Varieties of Baby Eggplants

Baby eggplants come in many shapes and colors, making them a beautiful addition to the table. Their small size makes them quick and easy to cook.

Indian Eggplants: These small, round, deep purple eggplants are the variety used in this recipe. They have tender flesh and are ideal for roasting, grilling, or stuffing.

Thai Eggplants: These tiny green eggplants are a staple in Southeast Asian dishes. They have a slightly bitter taste and work wonderfully in curries and stir-fries.

Fairytale Eggplants: Miniature in size with beautiful purple and white streaks, these sweet eggplants are great for grilling or roasting.

Japanese Eggplants: Long, slender, and dark purple, these eggplants cook quickly and are perfect for stir-frying, grilling, or roasting.

How to Purchase

Small round Indian eggplants usually measure 2 to 4 inches long and are sweeter and more tender than larger Italian eggplants.

When selecting at the grocery store or farmer's market, look for unblemished, evenly sized eggplants so they all roast at the same rate.

For storage, keep at room temperature for one to two days. You can also store them in the refrigerator for up to a week in a plastic bag.

Depending on their freshness, they may last even longer than a week.

Ingredients

• Small, round Indian eggplants (purple or white), about 2 to 4 inches long
• Extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
• Fresh garlic
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Lemon wedges for serving
• Chopped flat-leaf or curly parsley

How to Roast Mini Eggplants

Thoroughly wash each eggplant, particularly around the stem, where dirt may be trapped in the crevices. If you want, you can cut off the stem before use, but you can also bake it with the eggplant, and it looks nice when you plate it.

• Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 400 °F (200°C).
• Prepare a baking pan with a sheet of parchment paper.
• Cut each eggplant in half lengthwise and place it on the sheet pan, cut side up.
• Scatter garlic around the eggplant.

• Brush the flesh of each eggplant and the garlic cloves with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Turn over each eggplant (face down) in the pan.
• Roast for about 25 minutes or until tender.
• Sprinkle the surface with freshly chopped herbs. Serve hot or at room temperature with lemon wedges.

Note: When roasting a batch of baby eggplants with different sizes, remove the smaller ones from the pan as they finish cooking to avoid burning and overcooking.

How to Prepare Garlic For Roasting

Adding fresh garlic cloves to roasted vegetables enhances their flavor, as roasted garlic becomes sweet and brightens any dish.

There are two methods to prepare the garlic:

• Separate the cloves and scatter them around the eggplant unpeeled. After roasting, the cloves will easily slip out of their skins.
• The second option is to peel each clove by placing it on a flat surface and pressing down on it with the side of a large chef's knife. The skins will come off easily.

Be sure to slice the woody stem off of each clove with a paring knife.

Storage and Reheating

Once the eggplants have cooled completely at room temperature, store them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap before refrigerating for up to 3 days.

To reheat, arrange the leftover eggplant on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.

To reheat on the stove, heat a skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of olive oil. Place them in the skillet and cook for a few minutes per side, until heated through.

What Goes with Baby Eggplant?

For a great meal, these babies go with all of our fresh fish, steak, burgers, and chicken.

Mini Eggplant Recipes

Try our collection of baby eggplant recipes, including Baby Eggplant Parmigiana, Crispy Baby Eggplant with Sour Cream Dip, and French Ratatouille, all made with little eggplants.

Also, we have a recipe for Roasted Fairytale Eggplants with Lemon that features tiny striped eggplants. The dish is beautiful and comes with a tangy lemon sour cream dipping sauce.

How To Garnish Baby Eggplants

For serving, compose small plates with one of the following toppings.

• Citrus: For the most contrast, serve the purple poppers with lemon wedges and grated lemon zest.
• Fresh Herbs: Instead of parsley, try a sprinkle of fresh whole basil leaves for a burst of color. You can also add a small handful of microgreens to each small plate.
• Parmesan Cheese: Grate or sprinkle Parmesan cheese for a savory, nutty flavor.
• Dips and Sauces: Serve the poppers with a side of dipping sauce such as marinara, hummus, or aioli for added flavor and creaminess.

For more garnish ideas, check out Garnishing with Parsley

Roasted Baby Eggplant FAQ