White Eggplant….Who Knew?

Surprise! White Eggplant

I’m wondering how I could have not known there was such a thing as white eggplant! But it’s true, I did not. The eggplant in the garden that I grew up with was deep purple. I have seen some that were a variegated color, but not this creamy white jewel. It’s pretty and even felt good to hold!

Being the good Southern wife that I am, what did I do but slice that baby up, batter it, and fry it up in hot vegetable oil!

We had these delicious slices for supper last night along with an easy handmade dipping sauce. Of course, we had the white eggplant as a side dish along with green beans, stewed potatoes, cream corn, sliced tomatoes, hot cornbread, and iced tea.

But you could have it as an appetizer or snack anytime, Perfect for backyard cookouts or watching football.

What is Eggplant and Where Did it Come From?

Eggplant is a vegetable with a distinctive shape and smooth, glossy skin. It comes in various colors and has a slightly bitter taste. Eggplants are used in many cuisines and can be prepared in a variety of ways. The white eggplant I prepared did not have that bitter taste.

Eggplant is thought to have originated in India and has since spread across different regions of the world.

White eggplant is a cultivated variety that was developed from the traditional purple eggplant. Its origins can be traced to different regions where eggplants are grown, such as Asia, Europe, and the Americas. There are many different varieties with the most common being Casper, Clara, White Star, Cloud Nine, and many more.

Based on the images I have seen of white eggplants, I think mine are the Casper variety. But I don’t know for sure.

Fried Eggplant

Step 1

Wash and pat dry the white eggplant. Do not peel. Slice a little more than 1/4″ thick. Discard ends. The eggplant is sort of like slicing through foam or a mushroom.

Mix a cup of milk and a beaten egg in a separate bowl. Place the eggplant slices in the mixture and coat well by gently tossing them. Add salt and pepper as desired.

Step 2

Mix flour (it doesn’t matter if it’s plain or self-rising) with cornmeal, and add a little salt and pepper. Be careful not to add too much. You can always add more later after the slices are fried if it’s needed.

Pour the flour mixture into a large zip-lock bag. Shake excess liquid off the slices and add just a few at a time to the bag of the flour mixture. Toss gently and cover well. Remove slices and add a few more until all the slices had been dredged in the flour/meal mixture.

Step 3

Heat vegetable oil and place one slice in the oil. When it starts to fry around the edges, add a few more slices.

Don’t crowd the slices and use tongs to turn only once. Drain on layers of paper towels.

Dipping Sauce

Mix the mayonnaise and horseradish sauce together. Season with smoked paprika and Tajin seasoning. I didn’t measure, I just gave it a dash or two. Tajin seasoning has chili, lime, and salt in it. Or you can use seasonings of your choice.