Aubergines

Aubergines are the egg-shaped fruits of Solanum melongena, a plant native to tropical Asia, now grown widely across tropical and warm temperate regions. The fruits are usually black or dark purple, although green, creamy white, and yellow varieties are available. Consumed as a vegetable, they are typically fried, stuffed, or used as an ingredient in dishes such as ratatouille, moussaka, and curries, and they are also known as eggplants in North America and brinjal in India and Africa. Their spongy flesh absorbs oil readily, so cooking methods affect calorie content markedly; salting slices before cooking draws out moisture and bitterness and reduces oil uptake.