Japanese Eggplant Delivery or Pickup

Eggplants date back to the Old World, with China and India growing the bulk of them. Chinese eggplant production spread to Japan, and the Japanese successfully created newer varieties, including the Japanese eggplant. The country has produced eggplants for more than 12 centuries, and this vegetable is a symbol of good luck in Japanese culture.

Technically a fruit and not a vegetable, Japanese eggplants belong to the nightshade family along with tomatoes, potatoes, and other types of common produce. They have many different cultivars, with many falling into the 5- to 8-inch range when fully grown, although there are some that measure 2 to 3 inches.

They're long, oblong, and slender, usually found in different shades of purple with some almost a dark as black. Their thinner skin allows them to be more easily cooked and consumed compared to the thicker skin of globe eggplants. They also have a sweeter taste than globe eggplants and don't have a lot of seeds.

Japanese eggplants are available year-round, although their peak season spans from summer through fall. You might find eggplants that are straight or slightly crooked, but their shape doesn't matter when selecting them. Just avoid ones that have blemishes, cracks, and scars. Also, don't pick the largest one; aim for a medium-sized eggplant as it typically has better flavor. Choose one that's firm and heavy, as this signals that the eggplant is fresh and not overly spongy. The stem end should be brightly colored. Be careful if leaves are still attached as they are covered in small thorns.

Let Instacart help you select the perfect Japanese eggplants for you. Simply open your Instacart app, add Japanese eggplant to your cart, and an Instart shopper will get started on your order. An added benefit is that you can expect to have your Instacart order delivered to your door in as little as 2 hours!

Store unwashed and uncut Japanese eggplants in the vegetable drawer in your refrigerator. You can either wrap it in an open plastic bag or leave it unwrapped. Its shelf life is shorter than that of a regular eggplant, so it's best to use it within three to four days. Anything longer might cause it to have a bitter taste.

If you prefer to freeze the Japanese eggplant to use it later, it's simple to do. You can freeze them in slices, strips, or chunks. Drop the portions into a pot of boiling water for about three minutes, stirring or flipping the pieces depending on how you cut them.

Remove the eggplant pieces from the water and immediately transfer them into an ice bath to stop them from cooking. Have them sit in there for two to three minutes. Dry the pieces, and place them into freezer-safe plastic bags. Squeeze out all the air, and put them in the freezer. They should last for about five months this way. If you want to use the thawed eggplant in breaded dishes such as eggplant parmesan, you can bread the cooked pieces before freezing.