Slim Jim Eggplant a winner in the garden or landscape
Posted: Thursday, March 26, 2009
by John Pace
http://take-the-first-step.ws/recipes
The eggplant was considered the fruit of love by the Spaniards while at the same time in Northern Europe it garnered the name Mala insana or mad apple and was believed to cause incurable insanity. Such is the lurid history of many of Solanaceae family of plants that also include potatoes, peppers and tomatoes that too were first thought to be poisonous.
Slim Jim eggplant is an exceptional variety offering dark purple foliage rather than the typical green of other eggplants. This foliage allows it to be grown as an ornamental. Try partnering it with orange or yellow flowers for a dazzling complementary color combination. The highly touted Flambe chrysocephalum would be an incredibly good choice.
The foliage isn't the only selling point as the plant features iridescent lavender-violet blossoms that give way to long, slender eggplant fruit. Slim Jim is an early variety that performs best in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil.
Well drained soil is sort of a prerequisite for vegetables like eggplants and tomatoes so it is a great idea to take the step and plant on raised beds. Raised beds not only provide the drainage and aeration for good root development but they also allow the soil to warm more quickly in the spring.
Slim Jim will reach around 36 inches tall and should be spaced 24 to 36 inches apart. Feed by side-dressing with a little fertilizer when half grown and again with first harvest.
Slim Jim has a mild flavor. When the fruit is 4 to 5 inches long, harvest it using a sharp knife or pruning shears rather than twisting. Make your cut above the cap. Slim Jim produces a bounty of fruit perfect for frying Southern style or making that delicious eggplant Parmesan. Another fun dish is eggplant pizza. See the recipe below.
Because of its highly ornamental properties, Slim Jim excels as the thriller plant in mixed containers. If you desire an edible container, then try combining it with herbs like yellow-flowered Mexican tarragon, oregano and creeping thyme as the spiller plant.
Granted you never know what eggplant varieties will be at your local garden center or in your favorite catalogue. If you can't find Slim Jim look also for Ichiban an Oriental-type eggplant with slender, shiny, dark purple fruits. These are best harvested at 7-10 inches. Fruits are heavily set on 30-36 inch plants and are slow to produce seeds. Ichiban is considered one of the finest for the home garden.
Spring has hit my southern state and its coming to yours, I promise. Make this the year put fun back into gardening by growing vegetables like Slim Jim or Ichiban eggplant.
SLIM JIM EGGPLANT PIZZA
3 to 5 tender Slim Jim eggplants
1 onion sliced into rings
1 bell pepper sliced into rings
1 medium tomato, sliced
8 oz. pkg. mozzarella cheese
4 (8 oz.) pkg. Parmesan cheese
Salt
Pepper
Chopped basil leaves
4 oz. tomato sauce
Garlic as desired
Cut Slim Jim eggplant [-inch thick silver dollar sized slices. Grease pizza pan or cake pan. Lay eggplant on bottom of pan after coating with oil. Broil at 400 degrees until brown on each side. Remove from oven.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Layer onion slices, pepper rings and tomatoes over the broiled eggplant. Pour sauce over the top and bake 20 minutes. Sprinkle seasonings. Cover with cheese and bake until cheese melts. Serve with salad and garlic bread.
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