Fast delivery
Get in as fast as 1 hour
It’s all local
Shop your favorites
Direct chat
Connect with shoppers
Indian Eggplant Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to Indian eggplant products
About Indian eggplant
As you can guess by its name, Indian eggplant is native to India. Indian eggplant is a variant of eggplant that comes in a small, ovular shape. The egg-shaped food is technically a fruit, but it is cooked like a vegetable. It is a member of the solanum family, or the nightshade family alongside potatoes, peppers, and so on, and its scientific name is solanum Melogena Esculenta. You may have also heard Indian eggplant referred to by the name baby eggplant.
Indian eggplant is similar in color to American/Italian eggplant, but it's much smaller and has thicker skin. The purple food is also stronger in flavor and sweeter than its American/Italian cousin, and it's known for its white, firm, crisp, and creamy interior. Indian eggplant has a few seeds, which are edible and comfortable to eat. The skin of Indian eggplant is also edible, but most people prefer to cook Indian eggplant instead of eating it raw.
There are several health benefits of Indian eggplant. For one, this food is an excellent source of fiber, which can assist with digestive health. Indian eggplant also contains vitamin B6, vitamin K, and potassium. If you're interested in incorporating antioxidant properties into your diet, pick Indian eggplant for its anthocyanin contents.
How to pick out Indian eggplant
If you have a recipe that calls for Indian eggplant, you can spend more time in the kitchen prepping your meal and less time at the grocery store by placing an order at your local grocery store through Instacart. An Instacart shopper can bring your order straight to your door in as little as 2 hours when possible! Make the most of your time with this convenient shopping app.
When selecting Indian eggplant, you want to look for smoothness. Additionally, you want Indian eggplant that is rich in its purple color. The shinier and glossier an Indian eggplant's skin, the more healthy and fresh the food. Indian eggplant should have a hard exterior with medium-thick skin. If the Indian eggplant feels soft and mushy, it has likely spoiled. The interior of a fresh Indian eggplant will be white in color, while spoiled Indian eggplant will turn brown inside.
Cooking with Indian eggplantÂ
Indian eggplant is one of the most versatile ingredients possible. Its flavor is mild and complements a variety of foods. If you want to create a flavorful dish with Indian eggplant, pair this food with an aromatic ingredient like ginger, onions, or garlic. Indian eggplant also tastes great with herbs like basil or mint. If you're seasoning your Indian eggplant, try a robust spice like cumin, coriander, or turmeric. Foods like tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and goat cheese are also excellent pairings with Indian eggplant.
Indian eggplant comes in small, single-serving pieces. Because of this convenient size, stuffed Indian eggplant is a popular dish. If you'd rather include Indian eggplant in a roast, you can simply dice it up. Additionally, you can slice Indian eggplant, coat it in flour, and fry it. Steaming, grilling, baking, mashing, sauteing, and braising Indian eggplant are also excellent options when preparing this food.
Indian eggplant can complement that flavor of poultry well, or you can use Indian eggplant as a meat substitute if you're making a vegetarian or vegan dish. When cooked, Indian eggplant has a meaty texture that is sure to satisfy. You can prepare Indian eggplant in almost every method imaginable, so consider using Indian eggplant as an addition or substitute in your favorite recipe to incorporate a new flavor, texture, and food into your diet.
Indian eggplant is also low in calories, which is helpful for those who are dieting or cutting back on their caloric intake. Each portion of Indian eggplant has about 30 calories.
A popular Indian eggplant dish is Bhurtha, which is curry-based. Another curry-based Indian eggplant dish is Baingan Bharta. In both of these meals, Indian eggplant is chopped or mashed with other vegetables and services with dips, rice, and naan.
Indian Eggplant Near Me
Buy your favorite Indian Eggplant online with Instacart. Order Indian Eggplant from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about Indian eggplant
Once an Instacart shopper delivers your Indian eggplant to your doorstep, you should use the food as soon as possible. If you need to store your Indian eggplant, keep it in a cool and dark place to help it stay fresh for as long as possible. It can last anywhere from three days to one week in a cool and dark part of your kitchen or in the refrigerator.
China is actually the biggest producer of Indian eggplant, but this food has grown in Indian for thousands of years. It is a staple in Indian history, culture, and cuisine. Most Indian households use Indian eggplant in their recipes, regardless of economic or social status. Plus, Indian eggplant is used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. You can find endless Indian recipes that call for Indian eggplant as an ingredient, proving just how versatile this food is. Today, Indian eggplant is grown around the world, including in the United States.