A ripe eggplant when sliced open will have soft well-formed immature seeds. When treated right, it's creamy and earthy—a standout star in dips and purées, as well as roasted and grilled dishes. If the eggplant is unripe there won’t be visible seeds. Learning how to harvest an eggplant correctly comes with practice, but it shouldn’t take long before you’re picking an eggplant like a pro. A member of the nightshade family and a relative of tomatoes, the appearance of the skin can direct you to picking an eggplant. Skin should be glossy and thin. Ah, eggplant: It is a fickle lover indeed. In terms of taste, the under and overripe fruit will have a bitter taste as compared to the perfectly ripe one. When to Harvest Eggplants. If you are new to growing eggplant, there are some misconceptions on when to pick these tasty black (or purple) vegetables.When visiting your local supermarket, they usually have these huge eggplant that are flavorless and bland. Look for a firm, shiny skin. This is when it’s at its sweetest. Japanese eggplant (Solanum melongena), a miniature variety, develops a mild flavor compared to western varieties. The skin should be slightly elastic and spring back when you release it. Harvesting eggplants are simple. How to Tell When a Japanese Eggplant Is Ripe. Step 3: Feel the eggplant Hold the eggplant in the palm of your hand and gently squeeze it with your fingertips. If indentations remain where your fingertips were, the eggplant isn't ripe yet. Barrymore: 'I really did not take divorce well' Lesley Stahl reveals what was in Trump health care book On the other hand, if the fruit is overripe the seeds will turn dark and hard. The best eggplant is harvested just before it’s fully ripe, when it’s young and tender. You do not have to go the same route though, because you can decide what to grow, how to grow it, and most importantly, when to harvest it.