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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes » Grilled Fairy Tale Eggplant recipe

    PUBLISHED: July 3, 2022 • By Toni Dash 33 Comments

    Grilled Fairy Tale Eggplant recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    fairy tale eggplants

    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.

    fairy tale eggplants

    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.

    Jump to:
    • Recipe Ingredients Notes
    • How to grill Fairy Tale Eggplant
    • Storing leftovers
    • Growing Fairy Tale Eggplant
    • More recipes you’ll love!
    • Recipe
    fairy tale eggplant in a basket.

    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.

    fairy tale eggplant close up.

    How to grill Fairy Tale Eggplant

    STEP 1. Heat the grill

    Heat the grill to medium heat. Scrape and oil the grates.

    fairy tale eggplant with oil.

    STEP 2. Prepare the eggplant

    Slice the fairy tale eggplant into 1/2-inch slices lengthwise.

    STEP 3. Grill

    fairy tale eggplant grilled.

    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.

    fairy tale eggplant slices on the grill.
    fairy tale eggplant slices on the grill flip side.

    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.

    grilled fairy tale eggplant on a plate.

    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’.

    fairy tale eggplant growing on trellis

    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.

    fairy tale eggplant in a bowl.

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    Recipe

    fairy tale eggplant grilled.

    Grilled Fairy Tale Eggplant

    These miniature eggplant are absolutely delicious and do not need to be peeled or salted before grilling (or eating). If you can find them at a local Farmer's Market, grab them! They will become a favorite.
    5 from 30 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 3 minutes
    Total Time: 13 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 116kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
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    Equipment

    grill

    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

    The amount of eggplant per person will depend on their size. We estimated 1-2 per person but any amount can be grilled.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 776mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 78IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

    Originally published August 22, 2011

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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Amanda says

      July 04, 2022 at 10:14 am

      5 stars
      Lovely idea for those with a bountiful garden!

      Reply
    2. kushigalu says

      July 04, 2022 at 9:55 am

      5 stars
      These eggplants are one of my favorite. simple yet so delicious recipe. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    3. Michelle says

      July 04, 2022 at 9:32 am

      5 stars
      Happened to have extra eggplant and made this last night. It was such a hit! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    4. Suja MD says

      July 04, 2022 at 9:29 am

      5 stars
      Perfect! I love this recipe! I haven’t made one in ages. Thanks for the idea!

      Reply
    5. Emily says

      July 04, 2022 at 9:16 am

      5 stars
      I needed a veggie dish for my bbq and this eggplant was a hit! Just the right amount of seasoning and time.

      Reply
    6. Sisley says

      July 04, 2022 at 8:25 am

      5 stars
      I love how easy it is to grill these. I always think they will be more complicated but I’m so surprised.

      Reply
    7. Judith Beltz says

      July 23, 2016 at 12:20 pm

      5 stars
      I planted some of these in my container garden this year. They are easy to grow and most prolific.

      Reply
    8. Unknown says

      August 01, 2012 at 9:27 pm

      5 stars
      I was just given these cute egg plants and they are delish. I even made ratatouille with them.

      Reply
      • Toni @ Boulder Locavore says

        August 02, 2012 at 6:59 pm

        Lucky you! Aren't they a find? Great idea on the Ratatouille.

        Reply
    « Older Comments

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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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