Alias: Aubergine
Age: 2,000 + years old. Several Sanskrit records, some dating back as far as 300 BCE have written descriptions of the fruit. Yes if fact, the eggplant is a fruit.
Physical Characteristics: In the U.S. Eggplants are typically a deep purple color, but can be striped with white, all white and even yellow. They are typically elongated in shape. Outside of the States they come in a wide variety of shapes. When choosing one to take come with you choose one with firm, smooth skin, it should also feel heavy for its size.
Region of Origin: Hotly debated topic, but likely tropical Asia. It’s indigenous to the areas stretching from most probably the NE India and Burma, Northern Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and SW China.
Most Frequented U.S. Hideouts: California, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, Michigan, New York are the largest producers of Eggplant by acreage. It’s in season July through October.
Superpowers: According to the New Whole Foods Encyclopedia by Rebecca Wood, it helps to diminish swelling, feverish conditions, and pain. It renews arteries, treats dysentery, and is used for bleeding problems. Ms. Wood also states that in Asia pregnant women are cautioned against eating it because it can cause miscarriages. It is medicinal in cases of STDs, ovarian cysts, uterine cysts, and menstrual irregularities. Ladies ( non-pregnant of course) Eat up!
Eggplant also contains Nasunin, an antioxidant and free radical scavenger that protects cell membranes from damage. Brain cells love eggplant too, because the fat in brain cell membranes.
Pesticide Alliance: Eggplant is listed by the Environmental Working Group under the “Clean 15”. This means that Eggplant is least likely to be contaminated by pesticides. So if I was strapped for cash, I would go for the conventional variety.
Resources:
Wood, Rebecca Theurer., Paul Pitchford, and Peggy Markel. The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia: a Comprehensive Resource for Healthy Eating. New York, NY: Penguin, 2010. Print.
http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/Save-on-Sustainable-Gallery-44032808
http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/methodology/
http://www.agmrc.org/commodities__products/vegetables/eggplant_profile.cfm
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/chronicaeggplant.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10962130
TUNE IN TOMORROW ..... How to cook an Eggplant.
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