Eggplants... Now Starring in 'Ratatouille'
A Few Facts About Eggplant
Courtesy of Wikipedia
The eggplant, aubergine, brinjal, or baingan (in India) is a plant of the family Solanaceae (also known as the nightshades) and genus Solanum. It bears a fruit of the same name, commonly used as a vegetable in cooking. As a nightshade, it is closely related to the tomato and potato and is native to India and Sri Lanka.
The fruit is botanically classified as a berry, and contains numerous small, soft seeds, which are edible, but are bitter because they contain (an insignificant amount of) nicotinoid alkaloids, unsurprising as it is a close relative of tobacco.
The raw fruit can have a somewhat bitter taste, but becomes tender when cooked and develops a rich, complex flavor. Salting and then rinsing the sliced eggplant (known as "degorging") can soften and remove much of the bitterness though this is often unnecessary. Some modern varieties do not need this treatment, as they are far less bitter. The eggplant is capable of absorbing large amounts of cooking fats and sauces, allowing for very rich dishes, but the salting process will reduce the amount of oil absorbed. The fruit flesh is smooth; as in the related tomato, the numerous seeds are soft and edible along with the rest of the fruit. The thin skin is also edible, so that the eggplant need not be peeled.
Heart Shaped Eggplants
Eggplant on the Menu Photo Gallery
Courtesy of Flickr
Click on any image to enlarge
Eggplant with Sake on a Bed of Soba Noodles
Eggplant Recipes & More
Simply Recipes Eggplant Parmesan, Eggplant Lentil Stew with Pomegranate Molasses, Italian Sausages with Ratatouille, and more.Italian Food Forever Baked Individual Eggplant Parmesan, Fried Eggplant, Eggplant Croquettes, Eggplant Parmesan, Grilled Eggplant and Tomato Salad, Stuffed Eggplants, Marinated Eggplant, Eggplant au Gratin, and more.
Southern U.S. Cuisine Eggplant Ground Beef Casserole, Eggplant Casserole with Cheddar Cheese, Eggplant Parmesan with Herb Tomato Sauce, Eggplant Sandwiches with Mozzarella, Grilled Japanese Eggplant, and more.
Do You Have a Favorite Eggplant Recipe?
Add Your Lens or Website Link Here
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Eggplant Recipes at Epicurious.com
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Where Is Breadfruit Found
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Tender Pickled Baby Eggplants
Eggplants for the Pantry
Caponata-Eggplant Appetizer (MP) 19.3oz (545g)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009) 
Cento Caponata Eggplant Appetizer 7.5 oz (213 g)
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 07/14/2009)
Melissa's Thai Eggplant, (2 lb)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009)
Berenjena Embuchada - Tender Pickled Baby Eggplants by LaTienda.com
Amazon Price: $11.95 (as of 07/14/2009)
Eggplant Penguins
Eggplant Marketplace
Eggplant Mini Poster Print
Price: 14.99
Eggplant Magnet
Price: 3.24
Eggplant BBQ Apron
Price: 16.99
Eggplant Mousepad
Price: 13.99
Eggplant Salt and Pepper Shakers
Add a Touch of Eggplant in the Kitchen
Eggplant Salt & Pepper Shakers Set by Home Gourmet Collection
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 07/14/2009)
Glazed ceramic shakers measure 4.5 inches tall.
Eggplant Marketplace
Jr. Raglan
Price: 17.99
I LOVE EGGPLANT 2.25" Button (10 pack)
Price: 23.98
I LOVE EGGPLANT Sticker (Oval)
Price: 4.49
Greeting Cards (Pk of 10)
Price: 16.50
Postcards (Package of 8)
Price: 7.50
Eggplant Family with Hats
How About an Eggplant Rocking Chair?
Suitable for Children 9 months to 2 years
Rock 'N Roll Eggplant
Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009)
It's okay to play with your vegetables! This smiling eggplant-shaped rocker features a comfortable seat and backrest, and a handle made for tiny hands. It measures 24' x 12" x 15".
W is for Welcome...
Did you learn something new about eggplant?
AppalachianCountry wrote...
Beautiful lens. We enjoy eggplant but had never seen a heart shaped one. Thank-you.
Posted May 09, 2009
allsewnupfabrics wrote...
Eggplant...yum...so many uses, so tasty.
Great Lens.
Thank you.
Posted February 27, 2009
flighty02 wrote...
Eggplants are great, I use them in curries quite a bit. Lensrolled to and featured on my Healthy Vegetarian Recipes - Easy, Creamy Eggplant (Aubergine) Curry lens.
Posted February 10, 2009
dc64 wrote...
Give me eggplant, (or fried green tomatoes), any day! I love em. I'm starting to crave them now, and it's one minute past midnight. I'lll have to pick some up on my way home from work tomorrow! 5 stars
Posted October 18, 2008
ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...
Eggplant Parmesan on a piece of Italian bread-what could be better?
Great lens
Lizzy
Posted October 16, 2008
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