Turkish Eggplant

Browse and shop for Turkish eggplant. Some of these traditional eggplant seeds have been stewarded by small communities in specific regions in Turkey. Others have been grown in home gardens and homesteads widely across the country, generation upon generation. These Turkish eggplant reflect the significance of seed stewardship in Turkey. They also manifest the incredible diversity and richness of kitchen traditions, flavors, texture, and colors of food crops, among other traits, in the country.

Eggplant is native to India and Southeast Asia; and, it is a crop widely celebrated for so long in Turkey and the Mediterranean region. Turkish eggplant has a very diverse range of colors, shapes, textures and flavors. They are a staple food crop across Turkey.

Eggplant are used in various ways in Turkey. You can find some of these ways of use below:

• Grilling
• Frying
• Stews and stuffing recipes
• Pickling
• Making kebab and jam

In our catalog, we also offer Turkish eggplant which were bred as part of commercial plant breeding efforts in the 20th century in Turkey. These seeds can be more commonly found at farmers’ markets across the country. It is still possible to find these seeds in Turkish commercial seed catalogs. However, many of them are also disappearing from these catalogs due to unacceptable seed laws and regulations that force farmers to become dependent on hybrid and patented seeds. Hence, it is also one of our goals to offer these now commercially rare Turkish eggplant to pass on their genetically powerful traits that also acknowledge and intersect traditions.

In addition, you will also find here the eggplant seeds from our culturally appropriate plant breeding and seed selection efforts.