Hello! Nice going, Mr. Paunxatauny Phil, Good Old Mr. Groundhog!! Really now, did you really expect him to predict an early spring? I don’t know what the deal he has going with Mother Nature, but there must be some covert collusions between the two of them to drive us all over the edge with this long, cold, snowy winter. It’s criminal – it’s insane!

At any rate, so today we may be getting a brief reprieve. I say Mother Nature is up to her old, sadistic tricks. Bait us with one or two days of above freezing weather, and then – bango – more major snowstorms, and more sub-artic temperatures. I’ll bet that it is warmer in Alaska!

At any rate, today let’s continue thinking about something more refreshing! Let’s do some more new, unique, and/or kinky kinds of new vegetable varieties out there. Let’s do eggplant.

You may remember one of the 2009 All American Selection winners for 2009 from an episode a few weeks ago. It’s a white eggplant called Gretel. Plant breeders say that Gretel is the third in a series of the petite varieties. These beautiful, shiny white eggplants grow in clusters on compact plants that can fit into smaller gardens or large containers. Despite its size, you can expect big harvests of these mild, tender fruits that are perfect for grilling or sautéing in olive oil. Pick these white minis at 3 to 4 inches long for the finest quality, and harvest often to encourage more fruit set.

Well then, there is her partner in crime – Hansel, a solid purple mini eggplant. Hansel was the AAS winner in 2008, so that means that Hansel is the second in the mini eggplant series. Again, these plants are compact, and prolific in setting out tender dark purple clusters. Hansel is non-bitter and perfect for grilling or slicing thin onto pizza.

Moving right along, there is the Fairy Tale Hybrid, the All American Selection winner for 2005, so I suppose that Fairy Tale is the first of the mini eggplants in this category. This Fairy Tale lives up to her name, with clusters of attractive, elongated lavender fruit with white stripes. Plant breeders call this one a dwarf, since the plants are 18 to 24 inches tall and are ideal for containers as well as for planting in the garden.

Looking for something a bit more different color in eggplants? Then try Raveena. This (F1) hybrid eggplant is a new offering at Johnny’s. These babies are light green, and you can harvest them in clusters when they are 3 – 9 inches long. Raveena is a heavy yielder on very vigorous plants.

Not interested in long and green? Then try something round - Round Mauve. This beautiful eggplant is a round 4-inch ball, with rosy lavender thin skin and a pure white interior. It’s just the right size and the flesh is mild and meaty with absolutely no trace of bitterness.

Not interested in round and mauve? Then you have to try Kermit. These little beauties are small, ball-shaped fruits that are about 2 inches across and green, marbled with white stripes. Green Kermit is the perfect size and shape to put on a shish kebab skewer, brush with olive oil, and grill. Poor Kermit – getting run through with a shish kebab skewer and put on a grill. Get it? Green Kermit – as in Kermit the Frog? It’s not easy being green!

These new unique eggplant varieties are available through those seed mail order catalogs. For those mentioned today, check out Johnny’s Selected Seeds and Tomato Growers’ Supply Company. If you can’t find them on the internet or you do not have access to the internet, then give me a call at CCE – 376-5270 and I will give you contact information.

OK, that it for today. For your penance go outside today and breathe in some air that will not freeze-dry your lungs. Hurry up, though, because Mother Nature surely has more winter weather tucked up her sleeves!

Hey – Remember – Eat Smart New York!

And – Bye – Talk to you soon!
D