Where to buy large eggplants?

[maxsurly]

Hello fellow forumgoers,

I was wondering if anybody knew where I might be able to purchase larger eggplants than the thin ones commonly sold at places like Lotus/BigC. Specifically, I intend to try to use them in place of lasagna noodles and the smaller ones just don't cut it.

Thank you.

[JusMe]

Always a problem of naming things - eggplant? sometimes those are the small round pale vegetables, but the big deep purple ones are more appropriately aubergine.

Can't help on finding any, though. Sorry

[meatboy]

I think you have it wrong egg plants come in 2 sizes,pea size and golf ball size and are mostly used in curries,small in red,

bigger ones quatered for green curry and nam prik.

[pluto_manibo]

Makro in Pattaya sells the big purple eggplants/Aubergines.

[AyG]

You don't mention where you are. If in Bangkok, Villa almost always has them in stock.

Can also be found at the supermarket in Siam Paragon.

[quidnunc]

The Royal project stores (Doi Kham) usually carry them. In America they're called eggplants. The kind that southern Italians use.

[mrjohn]

"but the big deep purple ones are more appropriately aubergine"

Nonsense…………. eggplant is merely American English for aubergine (which is actually French anyway)

As has been said, the large purple ones are usually available in most Makros (but beware the quality)

As with most things in life “Size isn’t everything” and I find the long green aubergines (makuea yao in Thai) fulfil most of my needs.

Occasionally you can find small purple ones, about the length of your finger, which are an Indian variety, these are excellent.

[wayned]

When I make "egg plant" lasagna, I use the long green ones (makeua yao), cut off the ends and slice them lengthwise. Works fine. I have found the big purple ones in Tesco, but expensive and sometimes dry rotted inside. The Thai name for eggplant is makeua and there are many types. Tomatoes are also called makeua, makeua thaeht

[Michaelaway]

The long lavender/purple (Japanese) eggplants are available many places and they're delicious in lasagna, etc.; we like them better than the long green ones.

[rice555]

Hello All, or you can grow your own!!

rice555

[maxsurly]

Hello again,

Thank you all for taking the time to reply - I will visit the recommended stores.

@rice555 I'm afraid my 7th floor apartment does not come with a garden

@AyG, in BKK yes, thanks

@michaelaway. mrjohn, wayned the problem for me is that slices of a thin eggplant won't replicate the size of a lasagna noodle very well.

@meatboy http://thehealthyhag.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/eggplant_498.jpg