Eggplant Surprise

Day 308: Since the eggplants began blooming in late July, I have been watching closely for any sign of developing fruit. How then did a four-inch dark purple object escape my attention until yesterday afternoon? It is still quite firm, and because the plants came to me from one of our Morris dancers, I have no idea what size to expect it to attain, but I am delighted by this Eggplant Surprise. My favourite way to prepare it is as a substitute for pasta in lasagna. My mother sliced it, dipped it in batter for stove-top frying and served it up with maple syrup like pancakes, perhaps not a traditional method of preparation but tastier than it sounds. That said, eggplant is on the same spectrum as okra: if you don't care for it, no amount of fancy chefery or cajoling will change your mind. That's okay. It just means more for me!

Solanum Melongena, Have A Guess

 Day 282: Some of you will undoubtedly recognize this plant, but it's a new one for me. I have only seen it in the seedling form, never blooming, and most certainly never in fruit. It is not native to the Pacific Northwest (not hardly!), nor is it an invasive species (although I wouldn't object to it spreading in my garden). I'll give you a hint: it's a member of the Solanum family, kin to potatoes, tomatoes and woody nightshade (poisonous, but not the infamous "deadly," which belongs to a different family). Its fruits (berries) are usually purple, but some varieties are white or striped. Some may be the size of small eggs, but others may weigh over two pounds. The fruits are edible and considered delicious by many people (myself included), and may be sliced, breaded and fried, used as a substitute for pasta in lasagna or roasted whole, stuffed or plain. Have you got it yet? Eggplant! This is my first year growing them, thanks to one of our Morris dancers providing me with two healthy starts earlier this spring. They're doing quite well in a container set just off my back step where I will remember to water them daily.