Fun Fearless Foodie

My visit to the Union Square Greenmarket last weekend was bountiful and gifted me with more than just the makings of nectarine and lime-basil jam. The hot item at the market was something totally new and exciting to me—fairy tale eggplant.

These tiny, striated, nightshades are dwarf-sized eggplants with very few seeds and a creamy texture that is unlike any eggplant I’ve ever had. Because they are so small they require a very short cooking time, making them the perfect summer side dish. I picked up a handful along with some Japanese shishito peppers that were smiling up at me, begging to be blistered in a hot pan.

Searing the eggplant and peppers in a hot pan with some fruity olive oil and sliced garlic creates this caramelized, sweet flavor and takes a matter of minutes. Sprinkle with some salt and serve alongside your favorite grilled meat or fish for a gourmet summer meal.

Pan-seared fairy tale eggplant and shishito peppers

Serves 4

Fairy tale eggplants have such a creamy texture that I can’t really think of a substitute for this recipe, visit your local farmer’s market over the next few weeks to track them down. Shishito peppers have a mild heat and are slightly bitter, although every once and a while you’ll get a hot one. Check your local asian market if you are unable to find them at the farmer’s market.

Ingredients

Extra virgin olive oil
1 pound fairy tale eggplants, green leaves removed, cut in half lengthwise
10 shishito peppers
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Sea salt 

Procedure

1. Heat a saute pan over medium-high heat and add enough oil to thinly coat the bottom of the pan. Just as you begin to see slight wisps of smoke, place the eggplant in flesh-side down along with the peppers. Turn the heat down to medium and saute 2 to 3 minutes until the flesh begins to turn golden brown and the peppers start to blister. Flip the eggplant over and add the garlic and continue cooking 1 to 2 minutes, until the peppers are soft and blistered, the eggplant is tender and the garlic begins to caramelize.
2. Remove from heat and sprinkle with salt to taste. Serve immediately.