Fairy Tale Eggplants are tiny eggplants with tender skin and white stripes. They look like baby eggplants next to full-sized eggplants! These tiny beauties are delicious when grilled and don’t need to be peeled or salted first making them a Farmer’s Market favorite.
Tiny lavender fruits (technically eggplants are fruit) with purple stripes are a favorite for so many reasons. The dainty eggplants don’t have the tough skins of other varieties of eggplants. The flesh is delicious.
Besides the adorable size which could fit in the palm of your hand (about 4 inches in length and 1 inch diameter) and the fresh flavor there are two main things that make these different than regular eggplant.
The delicate skin doesn’t to be peeled and the flesh doesn’t need to be salted to remove bitterness before cooking. This makes them a farmers’ markets prize find. You’ll find them at specialty grocers that have a wide variety of produce or a grocery store like Whole Foods Market.
Our favorite way to cook them is grilling them for a fantastic flavor. They are fast to cook and a great side dish for other grilled dishes. These fairytale eggplants do not become slimy in texture as some eggplant can.
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Recipe Ingredients Notes
Fairy Tale Eggplants. Plan 1-2 of these little eggplants per person. We specified 6 in the recipe to feed 4 but it’s a very flexible recipe. Adjust as needed for the amount being served. Slice fairytale eggplant into 1/2-inch thick slices lengthwise.
Olive oil. This will be used for basting the eggplant for grilling. One to two tablespoons will be used.
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. For seasoning.
How to grill Fairy Tale Eggplant
STEP 1. Heat the grill
Heat the grill to medium heat. Scrape and oil the grates.
STEP 2. Prepare the eggplant
Slice the fairy tale eggplant into 1/2-inch slices lengthwise.
STEP 3. Grill
Brush each side of the eggplant slices with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Grill on each side about 1-1 1/2 minutes.
NOTE: You will note the color change in the flesh from opaque yellowish-white to a more translucent, watery yellow, and in the purple skin to brown. Do not over grill.
Storing leftovers
The grilled eggplant is best eaten when cooked for best flavor and consistency.
Growing Fairy Tale Eggplant
For home gardeners growing Fairy Tale Eggplant is easy and rewarding. I’ve grown a variety called ‘Twinkle’.
These healthy plants are the fairy tale eggplants from my garden. The plants are no higher than about 12 inches with the plant on the right ready to harvest (eggplant are about 4 inches long). The plant on the left has a bit more to grow with the eggplant being about 2-3 inches in length.
They are great plants for small-space gardens or square foot gardens.
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Recipe
Grilled Fairy Tale Eggplant
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 Fairy tale eggplant
- 1-2 tablespoons Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the grill to medium heat. Scrape and oil the grill.
- Cut eggplant in the ½ inch strips lengthwise. Brush each side with olive oil and lightly salt and pepper.
- Grill on each side about 1-1 1/2 minutes. You will note the color change in the flesh from opaque yellowish-white to a more translucent, watery yellow, and in the purple skin to brown. Do not over grill.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published August 22, 2011
Amanda says
Lovely idea for those with a bountiful garden!
kushigalu says
These eggplants are one of my favorite. simple yet so delicious recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Michelle says
Happened to have extra eggplant and made this last night. It was such a hit! Thanks for the recipe!
Suja MD says
Perfect! I love this recipe! I haven’t made one in ages. Thanks for the idea!
Emily says
I needed a veggie dish for my bbq and this eggplant was a hit! Just the right amount of seasoning and time.
Sisley says
I love how easy it is to grill these. I always think they will be more complicated but I’m so surprised.
Judith Beltz says
I planted some of these in my container garden this year. They are easy to grow and most prolific.
Unknown says
I was just given these cute egg plants and they are delish. I even made ratatouille with them.
Toni @ Boulder Locavore says
Lucky you! Aren't they a find? Great idea on the Ratatouille.