This rice needs to be soaked in water overnight or for at least 3 hours, then cooked in a steamer. Tamarind paste is available in small packages. To make tamarind juice, place the paste in a small bowl, then soak in hot water for 10 minutes. Squeeze by hand or a spoon and strain. Rice or white vinegars can be substituted in lesser amounts than ordinarily required for tamarind.
Small ones are bitter and are used mainly in green curry dishes.
Green peas can be substituted for these eggplants and may appeal more to Western taste. You found this on 1st Traveler's Choice Internet Cookbook.