Tough Skin on Small Fruit of Ghostbuster?

bluelacedredhead · September 19, 2009

I've peeled large varieties like Black beauty, but never small ones I've grown at home like Diamond or Ping Tung Long.

Friday, I purchased 4 lovely small eggplants at the Farmer's Market. Two purple and two white, which the vendor said were Ghostbuster. They all are small (less than 5" in length) and have shiny skins, so I'm assuming they were picked at their peak.

Why then, when I sliced them and fried them up last night for sandwiches, were the skins tough? Is this common with Ghostbuster? The flesh was tender and mild, but it turned me off when the skin was chewy.

shelleybean · September 19, 2009

I have not grown Ghostbuster but I do regularly grow other white eggplant. I find the skin is always thicker on the white varieties than the darker colored ones. I prefer the sweeter flesh of the white varieties but I always peel them.

bluelacedredhead · September 19, 2009

Thanks Michele. I'll do that from now on.

Colorado_west · September 24, 2009

How to you make sandwiches of them ? New to me.

Store here had no eggplants. My white I had grown was White cloud? I think I peeled. I did not the long slim asian. I soak my slices of eggplant in salt to take out any bitter. I had always just had black beauty. I peel Mom did that so I did that.

mjc · September 24, 2009

I too find the whites somewhat thicker skinned and depending on the weather, the skin can be even tougher/thicker on any of them...

bluelacedredhead · September 27, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado_west

How to you make sandwiches of them ? New to me.

Store here had no eggplants. My white I had grown was White cloud? I think I peeled. I did not the long slim asian. I soak my slices of eggplant in salt to take out any bitter. I had always just had black beauty. I peel Mom did that so I did that.

I sliced them lengthwise and then dipped them in an eggwash, then in breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan cheese. Fried them up til crispy on the outside and fork tender on the inside. Melted a slice of soft white cheese on them and ate them on a crispy roll with sliced tomatoes and pepper relish. It was quite tasty, just didn't like having to pull the skins out after the fact, blech.

And yes, MJC, considering the poor weather here this growing season, it doesn't surprise me that skins on eggplant (and tomatoes) have been less than desirable in texture. Hopefully, 2010 will be much better. TY

Colorado_west · September 27, 2009

Sounds good thanks.

Store here did have any eggplants. Wanted to try sandwich. Be next year when I grow some it looks like.

September 19, 2009	#1
bluelacedredhead Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northwest shore of Lake Ontario Zone 6b Posts: 117	Tough Skin on Small Fruit of Ghostbuster? I've peeled large varieties like Black beauty, but never small ones I've grown at home like Diamond or Ping Tung Long. Friday, I purchased 4 lovely small eggplants at the Farmer's Market. Two purple and two white, which the vendor said were Ghostbuster. They all are small (less than 5" in length) and have shiny skins, so I'm assuming they were picked at their peak. Why then, when I sliced them and fried them up last night for sandwiches, were the skins tough? Is this common with Ghostbuster? The flesh was tender and mild, but it turned me off when the skin was chewy.

September 19, 2009	#2
shelleybean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,648	I have not grown Ghostbuster but I do regularly grow other white eggplant. I find the skin is always thicker on the white varieties than the darker colored ones. I prefer the sweeter flesh of the white varieties but I always peel them. __________________ Michele

September 24, 2009	#4
Colorado_west Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: western Colorado zone 5 Posts: 307	How to you make sandwiches of them ? New to me. Store here had no eggplants. My white I had grown was White cloud? I think I peeled. I did not the long slim asian. I soak my slices of eggplant in salt to take out any bitter. I had always just had black beauty. I peel Mom did that so I did that.

September 24, 2009	#5
mjc Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: WV Posts: 603	I too find the whites somewhat thicker skinned and depending on the weather, the skin can be even tougher/thicker on any of them...

September 27, 2009	#7
Colorado_west Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: western Colorado zone 5 Posts: 307	Sounds good thanks. Store here did have any eggplants. Wanted to try sandwich. Be next year when I grow some it looks like.