Once upon a time there was an eggplant so magical mere words were completely inadequate to convey its charm…..
Two years ago at the Boulder Farmer’s Market I came upon some diminutive lavender striped tubular vegetables whose size could be described in no other way but ‘totally cute’. I had no idea what they might be and then learned they were eggplant; ‘Fairytale Eggplant’. Well with the name I was a gonner.
These enchanting little eggplants only grow to about 4 inches in length and are about an inch in diameter. Their claim to fame? They do not need to be peeled to be eaten and no special steps are required to leach out any bitterness. They are perfect to begin with.
For the past two summers I’ve grown my own Fairytale Eggplant (and an equally charming variety called ‘Twinkle’). I prefer to grill them which could not be easier. They do not get slimy as some eggplant can as well. I feel certain once you try them they will cast their spell over you as well!
GRILLED FAIRYTALE EGGPLANT
· Fairytale eggplant in the amount you would like
· Olive oil
· Salt and pepper to taste
1. Heat the grill to medium.
2. Cut eggplant in the ½ inch strips lengthwise. Brush each side with olive oil and lightly salt and pepper.
3. 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.
4. Devour.
Check your local Farmer’s Market right now for availability. At the Boulder Farmer’s Market you can find them from Abbondanza Farm. I’d check Whole Foods as well!
These are the Fairytale eggplants in 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.
Josie Lee Suská says
Those are absolutely charming!
I wonder if the plants could work in pots? Of course nice big wide ones. Have you noticed if they have long roots? Maybe a wide but somewhat shallow pot could work (kind of like it does with bush beans.)
Anonymous says
I'm sure a year later you've received an answer to this, but I am growing in a wine barrel – 4 plants fit perfectly – I have a plethora of this tiny wonders!
Rachel
Jodi says
I’m over here searching for recipes for my fairytale eggplants. They do grow well in containers – mine is doing wonderfully in what I call my “poor man’s topsyturvey” – a 5 gallon pail with holes drilled in it 🙂 My eggplant (and my little tomato) love it!
Toni Dash says
Perfect! I’ve done alot of container growing and there are perfect for them. I love these eggplant. Especially that you can slice and cook them without all the salting business!
Boulder Locavore says
Josie Lee: I bet they would work in pots. I have not checked the roots but the plants are so compact the roots can't be that big. I have grown almost all vegetables in large pots with success. Can't imagine these would be any different!
Kelly @ Eat Yourself Skinny says
What a stunning dish, this looks wonderful! 🙂
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
These are too adorable. If not for a last minute show by daughter number two yesterday I was going to feature grilled eggplant on my blog today. Just the boring regular stuff but still. I just love these…and the name too? It's rare to find but this is a totally 'adorable' vegetable!
Lizzy says
Oh, how gorgeous, Toni! I hope I can find some of these beautiful fairy sized eggplant~
Jennifer says
Not too terribly different from the Japanese Eggplant – but what a beautiful name. I love eggplant and doing it this way as well. 🙂
Lea Ann (Highlands Ranch Foodie) says
I love these little eggplants! Will most definitely keep an eye out for them.
Sarah Catherine says
Beautiful! 🙂
Laura (Blogging Over Thyme) says
I love small eggplant, especially the fairy variety (although I tend not to find those as often…). So beautiful! I also love that they are less bitter and have less seeds than the regular big kind.
Erin says
Those little eggplants are so pretty! They sound great grilled!
RavieNomNoms says
Those are so cute! I just love the color and size…
I love that you grilled them, I am a big fan of grilled veggies!
Boulder Locavore says
Thanks Claris for that great tip on grilling these eggplant whole (and your kind compliment about my blog!). I will definitely try that! Toni
In Katrina's Kitchen says
Beautiful! And tasty!!
claris says
I wanted to add that you can grill Fairytale Eggplant whole. Simply rub olive oil on the skin and stick them on the grill. Turn them 3 or 4 times to get all sides grilled and they will kind of split open. You can simply add salt and pepper or drizzle with a delicious balsamic vinaigrette. The eggplant oozes out of the skin and they are a summer delight!
ps, I love your blog.
Lolly @ Lolly's Sweet Treats says
I've never seen fairytale eggplant, but it's beautiful. I love your pictures and what a great summer dish. Yum!
tartedujour says
I'm green with envy that these grow in your garden! Beautiful! We love to grill our vegetables as it's so hot here to be turning the oven on all the time.
Lauren says
Easily the cutest eggplants I've ever seen. Thank you to Josie Lee for asking about whether or not they can be grown in pots, too!
stampedconcrete says
nice post .. looks so delicious .. yummy !! .. thanks for sharing ..
Carrie @ poet in the pantry says
For the one who asked, yes, they do grow in pots. I have one in a 12″ pot and it's doing very well. They're just so cute and the flowers are really pretty, too. Thanks for the idea to grill them! So far, I've just sauteed them with zucchini and yellow squash.
Growing.Eggplant.In.Pots says
I grow vegies in pots and this year I tried the Fairy Tale eggplant. I did not know anything about them but they look interesting. I started two plants with seeds and then transplanted them both in the same pot. It is a really big pot, maybe 10 gal or more. Anyway, I am having excellent results. Next year I will probably plant only 1 in each pot; they will probably do even better. By the way, I live in the Houston, Tx area which means it is HOT and either bone dry or flooding.
Boulder Locavore says
I have found almost every vegetable can be grown in pots, even corn! This little eggplant would be perfect thanks to its size! I'm not clear if you've eaten any yet but if not I think you'll be in love. I was not an eggplant eater until finding these gems. If it's any consolation this summer has been completely strange with 100 degree temps here, heat we are completely unaccustomed to coupled with a few weeks of wildfire smoke. Crazy!
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.
Judith Beltz says
I planted some of these in my container garden this year. They are easy to grow and most prolific.