Though commonly thought of as a vegetable, it is actually a fruit, specifically a berry. There are many varieties of this delicious food, ranging in color from deep purple to white, in length from 2 to 12 inches and in shape from oblong to round. In the United States, the most common is the large, pear-shaped variety with a smooth glossy dark purple skin. They are also closer grained, creamier and less bitter, with tougher skins than the purple variety. Italian eggplants are similar to the large purple ones but are smaller, with a more delicate skin and finer flesh.
Oriental eggplants are slender and elongated with thinner skins and fewer seeds.
They range in color from solid purple to striated shades. They are usually sweeter and smoother than the larger varieties. Florida is the nation s leading producer of eggplant, with about 2200 acres, growing practically all of those marketed during the fall, winter and spring months. It is grown throughout the state but most production is in Martin, Palm Beach and Broward counties. Florida's harvest begins in late October and continues until June.