Eggplants (aubergine) are a favorite of mine and I buy them often. I like eggplants for their fiber, taste, and versatility of use. ( My method of cooking, by the way : on the stove top over direct flame - messy but delicious).
During the last years one sees huge eggplants in various purple shades, in addition to the normal looking eggplants . I'll buy, of course, the normal size, shape, and color, as the huge ones are probably grown with pesticides and hormones (non organic, non - GMO food).
big eggplant
My approach applies to all veggies and fruits. When shopping at the market or grocery store I'll choose only those food items that resemble in size, shape, color, taste the ones I'm used to, since childhood.
From reading, I understand that eggplants are very popular in south-eastern asian countries , such as Bangladesh . Eggplants (known there as Brinjal) are grown as genetically modified from 2014. Those in favor of GMO claim that the crops are good (reduced pesticide), the farmers' profits high, and that it gives the people of this country some food security.
As far as I know, GMO is bad for human consumption. After all, veggies and fruits are our body's nutrition and fuel. We take from them vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber - all necessary to make body and mind work. We don't wish our nutrition to get genetically manipulated in the lab.
Lately, there's been a lot of talk about possible food insecurity in the world as a result of Climate Change and the Covid-19 pandemics. I believe we might indeed face, at some point, food insecurity and even famine. This calls for alertness, as it may bring GMO into the picture.
* web pictures
Very interesting and such a good point to stay away from the sizes you don't remember from childhood. Eggplants could definitely not be found in Sweden during my childhood, as is true of so many vegetables that now travel the world. I remember cabbage, carrots, and potatoes, a main stay: potatoes.
ReplyDeleteFor our own sake,we should stay away from food items whose growth has been facilitated by one or both of the two methods: 1. pesticides and hormones; 2 GMO
DeleteI love eggplant.
ReplyDeleteSurprisingly,not everyone loves it, though it's easy to grow, a beautiful crop in the garden, has many uses, pairs well with both savory and sweet flavors.
DeleteI love it.
Eggplants don't grow in Belgium but in Southern France and of course Itally too. I have eaten eggplants when I was adult, while Rick had it growning in his mother's garden in Italy !! I like them cut in slices and fried
ReplyDeleteI like them in all forms of preparation, including fried slices; However,at this stage of my life I try to avoid anything fried.
DeleteDUTA, I admire your dedication to eating healthy. Not always an easy thing to do (for me, anyway). I have had eggplant twice, and didn't like it. I can't remember in what dishes it was. I probably should try it again, just to be sure I gave it a fair chance. They are beautiful, though. I know liking it will have a lot to do with preparation. I'll have to research how best to prepare. Fingers crossed. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's quite simple. What we eat is our health. The key to health is in our Nutrition. People know that, and yet ignore the fact.
DeleteNot everyone likes eggplant. I do.
I am cautious about GMO foods. It just sounds like a bad idea.
ReplyDeleteGMO food should be labelled as such. So far, I haven't seen any labels. They say we don't have GMO food in Israel. Perhaps not, but we rely quite a lot on import, so who knows.
DeleteEggplants/Aubergines are a favourite in our house.
ReplyDeleteLow in carbs, an excellent source of dietary fibre. They are also a good source of vitamins B1 and B6 and potassium. In addition it is high in the minerals copper, magnesium and manganese.
They will definitely be on this weeks shopping list :)
All the best Jan
I'm glad to hear that, Jan. Eggplants should be the favorite in any house.
DeleteThanks for mentioning their high values and benefits.
The only way we know here in our supermarkets that vegetables have been grown without pesticides is to buy the organic variety but they tend to charge more for those and a lot of markets don't offer organic produce.
ReplyDeleteOrganic products are not always available, and are pricey. I'll say this, however: with all due respect to organics, grown without pesticides,I am not happy to find sometimes worms in an apple or in any other food item. Maybe a worm is considered by some as natural and harmless, well not by me.
DeleteFood insecurity is a big concern.
ReplyDeleteMore people are putting more effort towards their vegetable gardens.
Eggplant is not a vegetable I buy often. Sometimes it upsets my stomach.
If it upsets your stomach - perhaps you should avoid eating it. There's a fruit I love, but I keep away from it as it upsets my stomach - and that's Kiwi.It's tasty and full of vitamin C, but is not good for me, so I gave it up.
DeleteI don't remember eggplants in childhood, but I spent 3 years in Israel, starting in 1966. Back in Melbourne later, we bought eggplants all the time. Still love them now.
ReplyDeleteRe food shortages, we are already planting as much as possible now in the back yard - veg, fruit and herbs.
Good to hear about your love for eggplants, and about the garden. Both are beneficial to one's well-being.
DeleteWe can't plant tropical exotica here however, like paw paw or mango.
DeleteNo problem. I like mango, but seldom buy it as it is very sweet.With paw paw, I'm not familiar. I'm quite happy with the non-exotic fruit. I just wish them to stay affordable.
DeleteUntil I started shopping at a local Asian market I thought all eggplants were purple and oval shaped. I couldn't have been more wrong! I've bought long, skinny purple ones, as well as tiny round purple and white. All were delicious.
ReplyDeleteWe have no local Asian market, and their type of eggplant is not to be found at the supermarket. I believe you, though, that the stuff is delicious.Enjoy it!
DeleteHow nice to get a note from you. I did enjoy all the purples. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Mage. I must say that all the purple shades, starting with the very deep purple of the standard eggplant, are lovely!
DeleteI like eggplant. I keep saying I'm going to cook it more but I haven't yet. Might make that a goal for the new year. If one can, and it is hard to do so, one should grow some of their own veggies. We talk about how we can do it but haven't come up with anything. If many could, that might help with food insecurity and famines.
ReplyDeletebetty
I believe that now, with the rise in prices almost everywhere, people will turn to self-sufficiency. Work in the private garden will get more efforts and dedication from its owners.
DeleteI am growing eggplants in my garden. We love eggplants and we cook it in many ways. Hope to be able to grow more in my garden because the prices of veggie have gone up.
ReplyDeleteLucky you,Nancy! I've got no garden, and the prices of food in general have gone up.
DeleteI had never been a big fan of eggplant till I discovered ratatouille and then putting it on the grill. Yum!
ReplyDelete
DeleteSounds delicious!
Ratatouille is not a quick dish,and I'm looking for easy, quick work. The aubergine in ratatouille is one of several products (tomatoes, peppers, zuchinni, onions) I prefer the aubergine as the main dish to which I add some veggies.
I love eggplants ^^
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Malindha! Eggplants are versatile; can be used in many ways and in various dishes.
DeleteI don't eat them but admire their beauty. Happy Holidays and New Year! Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteTrue.Eggplants (some consider them veggies, some fruit) are beautiful both in shape and color!
DeleteWishing you much joy and a Happy New Year!
We also enjoy eggplants, but have to remember to buy them and know that we will be using them within. few days.
ReplyDeleteI usually make a list of products I wish to buy, but I don't need it. Things that I regularly buy (eggplants are a regular buy) are memorized.
DeleteBoa noite. Gosto muito de berinjelas também. Aqui no Brasil temos poucos tipos e pratos feitos com berinjela. Camponata de berinjela é o meu favorito.
ReplyDeleteI've learnt something new :Caponata - I've googled it. It's a sicilian dish, resembles a bit the french ratatouille (Jeanie mentioned it in her comment) , that is: eggplants, tomatoes, and other veggies.
DeleteSounds delicious!.
A lot of fresh vegetables are brought to the UK supermarkets from Israel- when I visited many years ago it was a revelation to see that vegetables were being grown and irrigated in polytunnels in dessert landscapes! I think the human race is resourceful and we will soon be into idroponics on a big scale and, as long as the World doesn't run out of water,we will be ok :)
ReplyDeleteIndeed, the human race is resourceful.
DeleteIn Israel, poly-tunnels, greenhouses, and sophisticated irrigation systems, have turned the desert area into a successful place for growing crops.
i don't like eggplants but it's good you enjoy them and are able to find the ones so similar to the ones you had as a child :)
ReplyDeleteHope that you have a wonderful Christmas :)
Away From The Blue
You're definitely entitled to your likes and dislikes:)
DeleteI do enjoy aubergines, and always look for the ones that I've been used to my whole life.
Wishing you much Joy and Happiness, Mica!
i eat eggplants rather rare:) i must change it!
ReplyDeleteYes, you should, Kathy!
DeleteEggplants have a lot of fiber, and are not fattening. Besides,they taste good, and can be eaten as a main dish or a side dish.
I love eggplants and use them in my cooking a lot. I always buy organic, non-GMO vegetables and fruit. I am not fond of GMO products at all.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know you love eggplants.
DeleteWell, with organic products one is more or less on the safe side.
We love to roast the eggplant and make something we call eggplant stackers with parm cheese and tomato sauce. We had raised them years ago in our garden but didn't know what to do with them. They were beautiful, too. We gradually found ways we liked to eat these veggies, but when we moved and tried planting them again in our back yard, well something else liked them too. So after great ways of keeping the deer away we finally had some this year. Thanks for the wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteYou can do with them plenty of dishes. If you don't know what, just open a cookbook with recipes, and then invent your own recipes.
ReplyDeleteYes, the deer have good taste; they know what's best for them.
Boa noite. Neste Natal não quero pedir muito. Quero apenas que você que está lendo essa mensagem tenha muita paz, saúde, amor e felicidade. Grande abraço do seu amigo, brasileiro e carioca Luiz Gomes.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Luiz. Wishing you the same:peace, health, love and happiness!
DeleteYikes! It's beautiful, and super healthy, but this is not one of my faves. Thanks for all the valuable info. If you celebrate the holidays, wish you a Merry Christmas! Hugs, RO
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Ro. Yes, aubergine is super healthy!
DeleteWishing you Happy Holidays and a
happy upcoming new year!
Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI wish you good health and happiness.
Thank you.
DeleteHave a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I've never eaten aubergine. Yes once. But it makes my mouth itchy. I try to eat healthy, I really do. But sometimes it is difficult. And then I take a bowl of oatmeal instead of vegetables and meat. I love oatmeal.
ReplyDeleteWell, to each his own, as they say. Do eat what you like and what's good for you. Oatmeal is good.
DeleteHappy Holidays and a Happy New Year to you, Aritha!
It's ages since I've had an eggplant. I do eat a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, though. Both are very integral parts of my daily fare.
ReplyDeleteTake good care, DUTA. :)
All fruit and vegetables are important to our nutrition.So, you're doing the right thing by eating them daily.
DeleteWishing you happy and safe Holidays!