Eggplant - Purple Italian

Many Italian eggplant cultivars are of the most widely-recognized type; oblong, bell-shaped, and dark purple to nearly black. Italian eggplants may also be round in shape, however, and variously colored and patterned, from light purple to white and striped.  The outer skin is glossy, smooth, black-purple, and has a green stem. The inner flesh is cream colored with a spongy-firm texture and there many edible seeds. When cooked, Purple eggplants are tender and mild with a slightly bitter taste.