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I never could cozy up to an egg plant or most of the meals cooked containing egg plant. Though it is a perennial it is not very hardy, thus it is usually called or treated as an annual. Considered a vegetable by many it basically is a berry that is closely related to a tomato and the potato.
I have grown them, especially the small ones that have the name Aubergine. It really rolls off the tongue as opposed to the words egg plant! Native to India and Sri Lanka it is grown by many gardeners in the U.S.(which ranks 20th in world production) so lots of people must like them. However, I am not one of them. The edible seeds are too bitter for me tasting like tobacco.
Somewhere along the way in English speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia the name changed from Aubergine to Egg Plant because early plants were white or yellow looking a lot like a hen or goose egg.
The secret in cooking egg plant or Aubergines is to salt the sliced fruit, let it sit and then rinse it off, thus softening the fruit and removing the bitterness. Egg plant is a favorite in Italian dishes because it is capable of absorbing all sorts of sauces. You can find many uses for it in Greek recipes and when you travel through out Spain or even to Japan you will find it cooked many ways. It is also a favorite among the people of the Middle East and South Asia.
If you live in a very warm climate you can sow the seeds directly into the ground, if not you need to start them early and then transplant your plants after your last frost. You will need to plant them 18 to 24 inches apart and make your rows about 24 to 36 inches apart. Your soil needs to be fertile and these plants will need to be watered regularly. Egg plants are susceptible to the same bugs as potatoes, tomatoes and peppers so you will have to treat them the same way.
The ones I planted a few years ago were the Pandora Striped Rose simply because I loved the tear-drop shaped fruit with its lovely lilac-rose color with thin white stripes. The ones we usually see in the market are “Florida Market” which is the very large purple bell-shaped plant.
For those of you who live in a hot, humid climate and who happen to like egg plant then try the Thai Long Purple from Bangkok. These are very sweet and mild. At the last count I think I had found about 40 different varieties from all over the world that are available in heirloom seeds.
Scientists are just connecting the pigmentation of a fruit or vegetable skins with wellness and health. Whether you call them Aubergines or Egg Plants they are a great source of potassium, a mineral that helps balance salt intake and helps you maintain good hydration and helps regulate blood pressure. They are also a good source of folate, magnesium, vitamin B6, niacin, copper, manganese and thiamine (vitamin B1) all good reasons for planting some Aubergines or Egg Plants in your garden.
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Author Bio Box: Arlene Wright Correll
 For more gardening or cooking information click http://www.learn-america.com/
To see Arlene’s Gardens and to read her gardening diaries or click on Arlene’s Books where you can download or buy her gardening & cook books. Remember to check out her artwork, especially of her fruits and vegetables. Arlene says, “All my royalties from the sale of my books go to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and I thank you for visiting my site.”
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