Eggplant - Casper 15lb

Every so often, there’s an heirloom variety that makes you wonder why it ever disappeared in the first place. Casper is one of those.

Originally selected in France and preserved by heirloom seed keepers for its exceptional eating quality, Casper was bred long before eggplants were expected to survive cross-country shipping or weeks in cold storage. Its purpose was much simpler: to taste extraordinary.

After researching the variety, we asked Dorr Farms to grow it specifically for our chefs.

Unlike the familiar deep-purple globe eggplants, Casper produces elegant ivory-white fruit with remarkably thin skin and dense, creamy flesh. The lack of pigmentation isn’t simply cosmetic—it accompanies a noticeably milder flavor. Casper has almost none of the bitterness often associated with conventional eggplant, and because the seed cavity develops slowly, the flesh remains sweet and remarkably uniform even as the fruit reaches usable size.

Many chefs describe the flavor as having subtle notes of mushroom, roasted chestnut, and sweet cream rather than the sharper vegetal character found in standard varieties.

Flavor & Texture

• Mild, sweet flavor with virtually no bitterness
• Dense, creamy flesh
• Thin, tender skin that rarely requires peeling
• Small, underdeveloped seed cavity
• Silky texture that becomes almost custard-like when cooked

For the Kitchen

• Roast whole until the flesh becomes spoon-soft for purées and spreads
• Grill thick slices over hardwood, finishing with olive oil and herbs
• Char over open flame for baba ghanoush with exceptional sweetness
• Pan-roast with butter, thyme, and garlic
• Tempura or fry—the thin skin and dense flesh produce an outstanding texture
• Pair with tomatoes, basil, peppers, lamb, seafood, or fresh cheeses

Casper absorbs olive oil and aromatics beautifully without becoming greasy, while its naturally low bitterness means there’s no need to salt it ahead of cooking to draw out harsh flavors—a step traditionally used with older commercial eggplants.

This is the kind of eggplant that reminds you the ingredient deserves to be the centerpiece of a dish rather than simply supporting it.

Like many heirlooms, Casper wasn’t selected because it packed well onto a truck. It was selected because generations of gardeners believed it was worth saving. We’re excited to finally bring it into the hands of chefs who appreciate varieties grown for flavor first.