Eggplant 'Udmalbet'

A rare and colorful Heirloom Eggplant from the Tamil village in India. Developed in Spain in the 16th century. Growing conditions are as ...Read Morefor tomato plants, although Eggplant needs a longer growing season. Treat as perennial in warmer climates, an annual in cooler areas. Sow seeds indoors up to 8 weeks before transplanting out; harden off for one week by removing them from the heat source and put in full sun. Picking the fruit regularly encourages it's production. Sow seeds in early spring.. at the depth of ¼ inch. Germination is usually 7 to 10 days on a heating source. It takes longer if not on a heating source.

The Egg-shaped or Teardrop fruit are a light yellow-green, streaked in with vibrant lavender stripes. It is great used in curries and chutneys or whatever eggplant recipes you have.

It is best when eaten young at 4 inches (10.2 cm,) it also bears well in cooler areas. 100-110 days.

Udmalbet translates as "darkly striped"- Pronounced "OOD-Mal-bet". Eggplants are documented as having been cultivated and eaten for thousands of years in the Indian subcontinent. They are called brinjal in India. It is an unusually beautiful eggplant or aubergine. The lovely blossoms are rose pink. It is very ornamental, and very tender so that that even the skin can be eaten. Very sweet with no bitterness.

It is considered extra special and is used exclusively for dishes used in religious ceremonies in temples or for marriages.

Teardrop shaped, green with purple striped fruit.