When it’s boiling outside, only the toughest of the veggies can survive. We’re looking at you, eggplant. This oblong heat-lovin’ nightshade hails from more tropical climes like India and Southeast Asia, making it perfect for the sustained oppressive heat of Texas summers.

Eggplant bounty. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Why the name eggplant, you might wonder? Well, the name derived from the white, smaller cultivar (which were immensely popular in Europe in the 1700s) and its common aesthetic with eggs. Being a part of the Solanaceae family, you can eat the skin and seeds like a tomato, just don’t eat it raw, similar to how you treat a potato. These veggies grow on a vine and have spiny stems with flowers that are often purple or white. Botanically, eggplant is actually defined as a berry. The fruit contains bitter seeds that contain trace amounts of nicotine because, believe it or not, eggplants and tobacco are related!

Eggplant on the vine. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Eggplant harvest. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Putting the egg in eggplant. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Last but not least, those of you who think you don’t like eggplant, don’t fool yourself. Known as aubergine in British English, this spongy veggie lends itself to a gamut of dishes. So, when you find yourself regrettably swimming in late summer JBG eggplant, change that frown upside down and dive into some of our favorite recipes from all over the world below. There is ample opportunity to expand your palate with these varied eggplant-centric dishes, look at it as an epicurean adventure!

Graffiti eggplant. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Around the world with eggplants!

Making its way to Europe and Africa via Arab and Persian trade routes from India and Southeast Asia, (as you can imagine) this vegetable has a rich history and a very colorful culinary past.

North African

Chermoula with Bulgur and Yogurt

Roasted Eggplant Matbucha

Chermoula. Image by Jonathan Lovekin.

Generally Middle Eastern Inspired

Stuffed Eggplant with Lamb and Pine Nuts

Stuffed Eggplant with Lamb. Image by Antonis Achilleos.

Lebanese

Baba Ganoush

Maghmour

Baba ganoush by the Minimalist Baker.

Iraqi

Iraqi Lamb and Eggplant Stew with Pitas

Iraqi Stew. Image by Ellie Miller.

Indian

Baghare Baingan

Bharta - Spicy Indian Eggplant

Bharta. Photo by Mark Weinberg.

Thai

Roasted Eggplant Laap

Curried Roasted Eggplant with Coconut Milk

Eggplant Curry. Image courtesy of Alanna Taylor Tobin | The Bojon Gourmet

Italian

Eggplant Parmesan

French

Ratatouille

Ratatouille. Photo by Migoni Kitchen.

Israeli

Israeli Eggplant - Twice Cooked

Greek

Braised Eggplant - Greek Style

Moussaka

Moussaka. Image by the Meditteranean Dish.

Chinese

Sichuan Eggplant

Sichuan Eggplant. Image by Recipe for China.

Japanese

Japanese Eggplant with Ginger and Scallions

American

Fried Eggplant - Eat these by themselves with some aioli or yogurt dip, put them on a sandwich, top a pasta dish with it... the uses are endless.

Crispy Baked Eggplant - Pro-tip, make a double batch of these, freeze some, and reheat in the oven when you need a quick snack.

Fried eggplant. Image by Gonna Want Seconds.

Cajun

Cajun Eggplant Rice Dressing - Consider adding eggplant to a dish that calls for ground meat. You can substitute eggplant for the ground meat to make it completely vegetarian, or cook it down alongside your ground meat to boost up the nutritional content.

Graffiti eggplant harvest. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Get 'em at market! Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Get cookin’! Eggplant is in summer abundance right now!