The best way to select eggplant

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You can select the best tasting eggplant by looking for ones that are firm, feel heavy for their size and have smooth, shiny skin. There is usually a bright green stem and cap on one end of the eggplant. Ripe eggplants have the best flavor. I test eggplants for ripeness by gently pressing the skin with the pad of my thumb. If it springs back, the eggplant is ripe; if an indentation remains, it is not ripe. By selecting the best tasting eggplant, you will also enjoy eggplant with the highest nutritional value. As with all vegetables, I recommend selecting organically grown varieties whenever possible.

Conventionally grown eggplants are often waxed to prevent moisture loss and increase their shelf life. Organically grown varieties allow you to enjoy the benefits found in the skin without concern about ingesting wax or any contaminants that might be trapped in the wax.

Avoid eggplant that is shriveled, wrinkled, discolored, scarred or bruised. These are indications that the flesh beneath has become damaged or decayed.