when to harvest eggplants?

[boricuaqueen327]

I have two eggplant plants growing. One has white eggplants and the other has small purple/white striped eggplants. I am not sure which varieties they are (I bought them at Target) and I am trying to find out when to harvest the eggplants. There are currently two on each plant, the two white eggplants look like they are about 4-5 inches long. The purple ones are rounder and the biggest one is about 3 inches long. Do you guys have any idea how to tell when these guys are ready?

TIA!

[greenmulberry]

Eggplants can be eaten as babies, there really isn't a "too early" except that they could get bigger and give you more product.

Just pick them before they get very large. You want the skin to be glossy and the flesh firm.

[boricuaqueen327]

Thank you! I did not know that they could be eaten as babies. That is interesting. I won't feel so bad about picking them early then. My first one was eaten by something so I want to be able to enjoy these.

[ABO Mama]

Thanks! I was wondereing the same thing. Any good recipies?

[onthemove]

I cut them up small and add them to tomatoes and peppers and serve along with rice (eggplant ragout), eggplant parmesan is always a favorite, or I take them over to my neighbor (from India) and she brings me the most amazing eggplant dish (bharta, I think) with fresh roti.

[kriket]

yeah, you can't eat an eggplant too soon! You can probably eat the flower if you want!

I like to strike that balance of before a bug gets it, and after it's big enough for a meal. If I can hold off that long