Aubergine (Eggplant)

The aubergine or eggplant is the fruit of the Solanum melongena of the nightshade family, closely related to the tomato and potato, and native to India. Colour and shape vary greatly, but the cultivated European or North American varieties are usually large, elongated and ovoid and a dark purple colour. The flesh is bitter when raw, but meaty, rich and flavoursome when cooked.