Way before the eggplant emoji, eggplants were the star of the show in cuisines around the world. This humble fruit features in dishes that hail from every continent, except Antarctica. Which tends to be the continent that always stops us from being able to make sweeping statements about THE WORLD.
Surprisingly, even though it's been cultivated since prehistory, not everyone loves the humble eggplant/aubergine/bringal. It's easy to grow in abundance, pairs well with both savoury and sweet flavours and it's saved many a day when a vegan friend comes to dinner, but yet... some people loathe it.
It's easy to grow in abundance, pairs well with both savoury and sweet flavours and it's saved many a day when a vegan friend comes to dinner...
The abhorrence that the purple veg can generate has never been more venomously expressed than in Gabriel García Márquez's Love in the Time of Cholera: "Very well," a languid Fermina tells the smitten Florentino. "I will marry you if you promise not to make me eat eggplant." How very dare she! Even so, it's fair to suggest she never really wanted to avoid eggplant as it took more than 58 years for this couple to get together.
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How to grow: Eggplant
Deadly good, not deadly
Of course, this is the veggie that was once thought to be poisonous. All members of the nightshade family, including tomatoes, potatoes and capsicum, have had the 'poison' label unfairly slapped on them at some stage in history.
Remember, the fruit is good, the flowers and leaves not so good. These parts of the plant can be toxic when consumed in high doses. This is why all 11 of these dishes feature only the delicious fruit, the whole fruit, and nothing but the fruit.
The term pizzaiola in Italy means 'in the style of pizza', which sounds absolutely perfect. Source: Tim Thatcher
Pizzaiola actually means 'in the style of the pizza maker'. Please excuse us while we piazzaola everything in sight.
Adam Liaw's recipe proves that miso and eggplant are a fantastic combo. Source: Adam Liaw
Another nasu recipe to try
Miso-glazed eggplant (nasu dengaku)
This yemista recipe from Melbourne food queen Kathy Tsaples dials up the flavour. Source: Sharyn Cairns
All members of the nightshade family have had the 'poison' label unfairly slapped on them at some stage in history.
Proof that eggplant doesn't need frying, breading or anything else to make it sing. Source: Bloomsbury
Make friends at your next gathering with eggplant polpettine. Source: Paola Bacchia
Only haloumi could steal the show from aubergine. Source: Alan Benson
Melanzane alla parmigiana is one of Italy’s most famous dishes, yet its origins remain in dispute. Source: SBS
This recipe uses a combination of chicken, pork and turkey mince. Source: Poh & Co. 2
Strange as it may sound, there is eggplant in this dark chocolate brownie. Definitely don't knock it 'til you try it. Source: Simon & Schuster
Tender fillets of eggplant bask in a Japanese-influenced sauce. Source: Sharyn Cairns
Breathe new life into eggplant that is slightly past its best. It's a crime to throw out this versatile veggie. Source: Murdoch Books / Alan Benson
