The range of sizes, shapes, and colors of the heat-loving eggplant (Solanum melongena) tells the story of its enduring popularity. Native to India, where it grows wild, it has been cultivated in Southeast Asia for thousands of years. Europe was introduced to the vegetable in the 8th entury via the Moors, who brought it Spain, Sicily, and southern France via orth Africa. In the sunny, dry climate of :he Mediterranean basin, eggplant found he warm growing conditions it prefers and on found its way intothe classic cuisines f the region. Today, an autumn stroll through a farm-rs' market here or abroad is made all the ore intriguing by the displays of striped or mottled, round or pendulous, glossy white or silken purple eggplants, almost too beautiful to eat. But don't resist.
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