FreshPoint

Description:

Originally from India, eggplants are now distributed throughout almost every tropical, subtropical, and temperate climatic zone. This perennial member of the nightshade family, which is grown commercially only as an annual, bears 8s up to 1 foot in length, 2-5 inches in diameter, and up to 1 1/4 pounds in weight. While oval, dark purple eggplants dominate the market, shapes and colors vary considerably. JAPANESE EGGPLANTS taste considerably milder and sweeter than the more traditional eggplants and may not need to be salted before cooking. They can be readily identified by their large purple calyxes. Flavors complementary to eggplant include olive oil, dark sesame and roasted peanut oils, cream, Parmesan, ricotta, goat cheese, Gruyere, feta, yogurt, tahini, garlic, basil, peanuts, pine nuts, ginger, soy, cilantro, saffron, lemon, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, tomatoes, peppers, onions, summer squash, chickpeas and potatoes.