It comes in different shapes and sizes. Unlike most of the vegetables, eggplant has a variety. Long, round, oblong, small, gigantic and the some where in betweens. I have been bought the white variety. tatstes the same at least the way I cooked it and was twice the price.

 It is a cousin of potato and tomato and is a native of India and Srilanka. Britishers call it aubergine.In most parts of the world it is called brinjal. Wonder why the Americans call it eggplant.

My Mom- in- law is very particular about when you cut an eggplant. You cannot cut at will and then cook later, it gets discolored easily. Cut just before cooking. When purchasing them always look for the fruit that is heavy or its size.

Danispies has a nice video http://www.ifood.tv/recipe/baked_chicken_parmigiana 

http://www.ifood.tv/recipe/beguni is a popular dish from Bengal.

And of course the ever popular Indian recipe http://www.ifood.tv/recipe/baingan_bhartha

Ahh.. Let the mouth water.