The Eggplant

“Though I have scattered them like seeds among the nations, still they will remember me in distant lands. With their children, they will survive and come home again to Israel.” Zechariah 10:9 (NLT)

The Eggplant

Happy 50th Birthday, Jocelyn!

I’ve decided to give you this little garden stake that my Aunt Carol and Uncle Frannie made several years ago when they were making craft items for local markets. As they no longer make these little gems, you may consider this a “Limited Edition” – just like you yourself are! The similarities are just beginning to emerge.

Did you know that the eggplant is one of the least widely appreciated vegetables in the Western World? – just like you, except you are not a vegetable! (see where the “similarities” thing is going?) Actually, the eggplant is a member of the Deadly Nightshade family and is closely related to the tomato, potato and the pepper. (Hello, “Bob the Tomato!!” – make the connection – hint: husband. This is eerie, isn’t it??)

The popularity of both the tomato and the eggplant was stifled until recently. The tomato was actually believed to be poisonous – but we all know now, that it is actually a cancer preventer! The eggplant, on the other hand, was believed by superstitious Europeans to induce insanity and had the unaffectionate nickname of “Mad Apple” until a few centuries ago. I know you see the similarity, as people are “crazy over you”. J

Anyway, back in its native region of southeast Asia, there was no superstition going on – they were just munching on the eggplants in advance of everyone else. From India and Pakistan it spread to China in about 500 B.C., then into the Middle East. Arabic records of eggplant exist from the 9th, 10th, and 12th centuries, and the Turks are believed to have over 1,000 native recipes calling for eggplant. It is very popular – just like you!

The Moors introduced the eggplant to Spain in the 4th through 7th centuries and by the 16th century, the Spaniards had classified the eggplant as a powerful aphrodisiac and its most affectionate nickname was “Apple of Love”. (Aha, now we are getting somewhere, aren’t we?) Well, unfortunately, the northern Europeans were still convinced that consuming eggplant would induce insanity. [You know those northern Europeans just love to beat an old horse to death!] But many wouldn’t listen to that nonsense and word got out about the tasty eggplant.

The English coined the name “eggplant” and then began referring to them as “Aubergine” [I think the snooty English linguists just liked the sound of Aubergine better, don’t you?] But it was the Spanish who introduced the delicious eggplant to the Americas (Brazil) around 1650. The United States, no doubt concerned about “mad eggplant disease”, would not let them in until 1806, when Thomas Jefferson finally opened up the border. However, it was grown primarily as an ornamental plant until about 50 years ago (notice the significant timing here – “50 years ago”), when its delicious flavour was finally acknowledged widely – just like you!

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, a nursery man named John Baptist (come on, now – this is freaky) had obtained some eggplant seeds from a friend who had spent some time in India and introduced the veggie to Australia in 1850, though it did not become popular until the 1950s. So, even the eggplant is a “God thing” – just like you!

The eggplant comes in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and colours, which makes them an outstanding edible landscape plant. [You thought I was going to say, “just like you!” didn’t you?] So, the eggplant serves many purposes and is both decorative and delicious – just like you!

Jocelyn, I pray that throughout time, people find themselves “crazy in love with the eggplant” – just like me!

Love,
Kathy