Country Kitchen: Eggplant For Many Meals
Eggplant, a very versatile vegetable, has become popular in this country
because
it can be prepared in a great variety of ways. This vegetable also is
favored by those
counting calories, for it contains relatively few and has no fat.
This vegetable is thought to have been cultivated 4,000 years ago in southeastern Asia, probably originating in India. The Arabs brought the eggplant to Spain during the 12th century, where it was grown in Andalusia by the Moors. Spaniards believed the eggplant to be an aphrodisiac. Spread to Other Countries SlowlyThis food has been eaten for centuries throughout the Middle East, but did not become widely accepted in Europe until the 18th century. At first, it was grown by the Italians and English solely as a decorative plant.Initially eggplant wasnÂ’t used as a food because it was regarded as a "mad apple" which would cause insanity. The French also thought the eggplant caused epilepsy. The Eggplant in AmericaOne of the first Americans to grow eggplant was Thomas Jefferson, who continually experimented with many new vegetables in his gardens. In the early 19th century, recipes for eggplant dishes began appearing in American cookbooks.Although the average American isnÂ’t overly fond of eggplant, more than a million and a half bushels are produced commercially. Other Americans raise this vegetable in their gardens. Numerous Methods of PreparationIn the Middle East and around the Mediterranean, eggplant is a favored food. So there we find numerous ways to prepare it.FRENCH RATAOUILLE is a casserole consisting of eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and zucchini. GREEK MOUSSAKA alternates layers of eggplant, lamb, onion, and spices baked in an egg sauce. SICILIAN CAPONATA is a cold, spicy appetizer prepared with eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, olives, nuts and capers. BABA CANOUJ is a cold eggplant salad spiced with garlic and cumin. EGGPLANT LASAGNA - I've made a lasagna recipe substituting the eggplant slices for the pasta noodles. Then follow your usual directions for lasagna. This is a tasty dish for those who like eggplant in an Italian setting.
FRIED EGGPLANT - My aunt used to fry eggplant slices as she did summer
squash or zucchini. Or you can prepare a combination of fried eggplant
and squash. Dip
the slices into beaten egg; then coat with bread crumbs. Fry in skillet
until browned on
one side, then turn and brown on other side. Sprinkle with paprika
before serving.
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