a.k.a. Aubergine or Brinjal
This beautiful fruit, more often called a vegetable, has such a vibrant colour. Just looking at it you know that eggplant must be packed full of nutrients. We knew it’s full of nutrients, though we had no idea what the nutrient make-up was. So here we are, sharing what we’ve learned about this gorgeous fruit.
Genetics
Eggplant is a fruit from the nightshade, Solanaceae, family. The same family as tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. This plant is native to India/South Central Asia, is largely produced in Asia, though they are also produced, in smaller quantities, in Europe, Africa, the US and Mexico.
Health and Nutrition Facts
This section is what made us want to find ways to integrate eggplant into our meals more often. Studies have shown that eggplant can be beneficial in managing diabetes (low soluble carbs and high in fiber), weight loss, improving heart health, and since they are a good source of fiber, they aid in creating a healthy digestive system. There are also claims that eggplant has anti-cancer properties. Since eggplant is a good source of Iron, it can help prevent anemia. It is a great source of phytonutrients; this helps with mental health. Finally, this fruit is high in folic acid, which prevents birth defects in babies. If babies are in your future, eggplant may be something you’d like to add to your diet.
To be more specific about nutrients, eggplants are a low glycemic index (GI) fruit/vegetables. It has about 9% of RDI (recommended daily intake) of fiber in a 100 g serving. Eggplant also contains vitamins B1, B5, B6, and B3 and vitamin K. All B vitamins are essential in the metabolization of fat, carbohydrates and proteins. It is also contains minerals such as copper, iron, manganese and magnesium.
Fun Facts
- Eggplants contain a miniscule amount of nicotine
- Are considered berries as per the botanical definition
- The name eggplant was coined because the white variety of this fruit look like eggs
Choosing your eggplant.
One thing we really wanted to know was how to choose a proper eggplant. What are the things you need to look for? First, look at the stalk; firm, stout, and green, is what you want to look for. This generally means the fruit is fresh. Make sure the fruit itself is firm and not wrinkly. Once you get them home, store them in the fridge to help keep them fresh a bit longer, as they really only stay fresh a few days.
Preparing
Always rinse off vegetables and fruit, no matter what type they are. First things first, chop off the stem and about half an inch off the fruit. If you’re planning on baking the eggplant, we recommend you slice it into desired thickness, sprinkle both sides with salt and allow them to rest on a cooling rack, or someplace that allows the juice to drop away from the slices. Let them sit like this for 30 minutes to an hour allowing the liquid to fall away. This will take some of the bitterness out of it and it will have removed of the moisture allowing for a crisper texture.
