Fresh eggplant is incredibly versatile with the ability to star as the centerpiece of a delicious dish or to serve as a flavorful component of one. Here’s more!

Nearly 200 years ago, in 1825, two varieties of eggplant – white and purple – were being listed in multiple seed catalogs in the eastern United States. But, guess what? Thomas Jefferson was growing both varieties in 1812! Interestingly enough, seed catalogs originally suggested that white eggplant be grown for ornamental purposes only.

If Farmer Lee Jones had it his way, he’d create a top 100 list of the best summer crops but we’ve convinced him to narrow it down to the top 10! Here are his final choices, products we’ve shipped to top chefs around the country and world – and are now available for home chefs, as well.

Up before the sun and blurry from watching the clock and mentally re-checking his list of supplies every hour, Dad rose a bit grumpy but still looking forward to his trip to Decorah, Iowa. This time the trip was not for tractor parts, but to learn more about eggplants of all things!