Where Does Eggplant Originate? Eggplants are said to be native to Africa. It’s most well known for the signature eggplant parmesan of Italy, the Middle Eastern relish dip called baba ganoush, Greek moussaka, and the spicy Indian eggplant curry called baingan bharta. The European varieties tend to be the plump, egg-shaped types whereas Asian and Middle Eastern varieties are elongated and banana-shaped.Įggplant is used in a vast variety of global cuisines. From the flowers grow egg-or-banana-shaped fruits with glossy skins that can be purple, fuschia, white, yellowish, or striped, depending on the variety.
The leaves are large and somewhat fuzzy, often with a purplish hue.Įggplant flowers are vibrant purple and hang like pendants downward. As a member of the Solanaceae, or Nightshade family, they are closely related to potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and tobacco.Īlso known as aubergine or Guinea squash, eggplant is an upright bushy plant that often has spines along its stem. However, it is most commonly grown as an annual in temperate gardens. melongena is a tender perennial in its native Africa and Southeast Asia. The edible portion of is technically a fruit. What is Eggplant? This delicate tropical perennial is grown as an annual in temperate climates.Įggplant is a warm-weather vegetable known by the Latin name Solanum melongena. It is suspected that it was first domesticated in Asia and later spread across the globe as an economically important food plant. But long before eggplant made its way to Italy, this nightshade-family crop grew wild across Africa for millions of years. Most of us think of eggplant as a shiny purple rounded fruit sliced up in lasagna or eggplant parmesan. If you’ve been wanting to try your hand at growing one of the dozens of unique purple, white, pink, striped, or green varieties, spring is the best time to get started. Let’s take a closer look at everything you’ll need to get started growing eggplant in your own garden. It’s the perfect veggie to add to your summer abundance of zucchini, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Requiring just over two months to mature, eggplant is a fast-growing and rewarding nightshade vegetable. The spongy, creamy texture is reminiscent of squash.
In the kitchen, eggplant has a mild flavor that can readily adapt to the oil and seasoning of any dish. This warm-weather garden crop bears heavily and withstands even the hottest summers. In fact, they come in a vast range of colors and shapes that we don’t often see in the supermarket.Įggplant (or “aubergine” in Europe) is simple to grow and a joy to eat. These glossy purple vegetables are widely used in Italian, French, Indian, Mediterranean, Chinese, and Japanese dishes. Whether cooking up a cheesy eggplant parmesan, roasted baba ganoush dip, or a simple grilled side, eggplant is a summer staple.
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