Eggplant 'Hansel'
I just love ‘Patio Baby’ so much, that I had to find a few more minis to add to the roster. Small-fruited eggplants are so much more abundant and manageable to grow and cook with.
‘Hansel’ and ‘Gretel’ eggplant varieties were developed by the same breeder and are a mini play on the traditional Asian-style, oblong eggplants. These produce 3-4” long fruit on a compact plant (though not quite as compact as ‘Patio Baby’). AND, the fruit is bitter-free!
The fruit is easy to slice and adds texture and color to your garden. They are also All-America Select winners. You can’t go wrong! Gretel is white. Hansel is solid purple like your traditional eggplant. Read more on eggplant below.
Height & Spread: ~24-36”
A Note from the Grower
I feel that eggplant is one of the more undervalued garden vegetables. It’s simply misunderstood. Finding the proper variety for your style of cooking is the main task. If you’re hesitant to try eggplant, add ‘Patio Baby’ to your shopping list for a sample of how rewarding this vegetable can be. Head over to the Plant Guide for care info.
A home-grown eggplant is the best eggplant. This year, I am doing an overhaul on my variety offerings. All but one of my eggplant varieties are brand new to my roster! Eggplant is a great star of the dish or side-kick. Cook on the grill in steaks, pan-fry or roast with other vegetables for a solid side dish, or stew in a hearty pasta sauce.
