14 Gorgeous Eggplant Varieties from Four Root Farm

By Food & Wine
Updated May 01, 2017
Credit: Courtesy of Four Root Farm, East Haddam, CT
For most of us, an eggplant is only one thing—the dark purple, pear-shaped vegetable we find in every grocery store produce department. But to the four young founders of Four Root Farm in East Haddam, Connecticut, an eggplant can be oblong or bulbous, firm or creamy, sweet or bitter, and solid or streaked with greens, ecrus, oranges or purples that range from pale mauve to near-black. Here, co-owner Aaron Taylor offers a guide to gorgeous and delicious eggplant varieties. —Jocelyn Ruggiero
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Fairy Tale

Credit: Courtesy of Four Root Farm, East Haddam, CT

Sweet, tender, flavorful and creamy, Fairy Tale are simply the best eggplants we've ever tasted,” says Taylor. This quick-cooking variety is so delicious that it doesn’t even need to be salted. Taylor suggests slicing them lengthwise, then tossing them into stir-fries or sautés, or skewering them on the grill.

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Kermit and Lavender Frog Egg

Credit: Courtesy of Four Root Farm, East Haddam, CT

"These beautiful, dense, golf ball–size Thai eggplants are perfect for curries, since they can soak up broth without falling apart," says Taylor. You may also see them served raw and thinly sliced in Thai salads.

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Black Beauty and Galine

Credit: Courtesy of Four Root Farm, East Haddam, CT

These are your classic eggplants, though the Black Beauty is a bit bulbous. "Although there is very little distinction in flavor between the two varieties, Four Root grows both, since the Galine tend to be ready for harvest a little earlier while Black Beauty lasts longer into the fall," says Taylor. Since they have a hint of bitterness, it's best to salt them before cooking.

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Turkish Orange

Credit: Courtesy of Four Root Farm, East Haddam, CT

These vivid orange orbs have intense flavor. "They're the most 'eggplanty' of any variety that Four Root grows," says Taylor.

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Barbarella

Credit: Courtesy of Four Root Farm, East Haddam, CT

This Italian eggplant has a distinctive bready texture that Taylor calls 'floury'; It's flexible: firm enough for eggplant Parmesan, but tender enough to cook on a grill.

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Snowy and Dancer

Credit: Courtesy of Four Root Farm, East Haddam, CT

Though their colors contrast, these two gorgeous varieties are very similar when cooked. Both have a creamy texture and an incredibly sweet flavor that makes salting unnecessary.

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Israeli

Credit: Courtesy of Four Root Farm, East Haddam, CT

This deep plum variety is rich and flavorful. Taylor says it makes the best baba ghanoush.

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Millionaire and Orient Charm

Credit: Courtesy of Four Root Farm, East Haddam, CT

These Japanese eggplants tend to cook quickly, so they’re the way to go for stir-fry,” says Taylor. “Their subtle flavor and delicate flesh are perfect for soaking up miso, soy sauce, ginger and garlic.”

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Thai White Ribbed

Credit: Courtesy of Four Root Farm, East Haddam, CT

This versatile eggplant has been the surprise hit at Four Root Farm this summer. It combines the floury texture of a Barbarella with the delicate flavors of the other Asian varieties, so it's a perfect all-around choice for cooking.

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Thai Purple

Credit: Courtesy of Four Root Farm, East Haddam, CT

Unlike the small Thai White variety, this eggplant has some distinct attributes: It’s seedless and subtle in flavor like the Japanese varieties, but large and round like a Black Beauty or Galine.

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