The eggplant arrived in Italy during the 15th century – when the Arabs brought it from India.
When did eggplants come to Europe?
Moors Took Eggplant to Europe
In northern Europe it was first mentioned by Albert of Cologne in the 13th century, but not until the middle of the 16th century was it well known there. Yellow and purple varieties were introduced into Germany from Naples about 1550.
Is eggplant grown in Italy?
The eggplant reached Southern Italy by the 9th century CE. Arabs brought the fruits along with them as they expanded their territory into the region. Melanzane was consumed by fearless foodies in the Calabrian and Sicilian regions of Italy, although some people were initially wary of the funny egg-shaped produce.
Why is eggplant so popular in Italy?
The Eggplant Parmigiana is a classic in the Italian culinary tradition: the eggplant is widely used in Italian cuisine by virtue of its properties, such as low calories and a high presence of water, although the yummy taste.
What country did eggplants originate from?
Eggplants originated in China and India and have been cultivated there for thousands of years. The Spanish Moors introduced the eggplant into southern and Eastern Europe where it became very popular. The early explorers of the New World introduced eggplant into the Americas in the 1500s, but the plant never caught on.
What country eats the most eggplants?
China
Global Eggplant Consumption
With nearly X thousand tons, China became the world’s leading eggplant consuming country, making up X% of global consumption.
What country uses eggplant the most?
China
Production by country
| Rank | Country/region | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 34,482,916 |
| 2 | India | 12,801,000 |
| 3 | Egypt | 1,179,173 |
| 4 | Turkey | 836,284 |
Where do eggplants grow in Italy?
“And the most important region for the production is Sicily, starting from the province of Syracuse and it goes all the way to the province of Palermo, so it covers a big area,” he said. “In Europe it’s not usual to grow this kind of eggplant. Around 90% is grown in Sicily and the other 10% is in the rest of Italy.”
What is an Italian eggplant?
Italian Eggplant can be an elongated pear-shape or almost cylindrical, with a glossy deep purple skin. This is a meaty, mild-tasting vegetable that is low in calories. It is never eaten raw, but it can be baked, grilled, or sautéed.
Do Italians say eggplant or aubergine?
The Italian word for eggplant
While this berry has lots of English names (e.g.: guinea squash, aubergine, brinjal, etc.) there is only one Italian word for eggplant: melanzana [IPA: /me.lanˈt͡sa.na/ – with an accent on the third sillable]. It is a feminine singular noun, and its plural form is melanzane.
Who brought eggplants to Italy?
the Arabs
The eggplant arrived in Italy during the 15th century – when the Arabs brought it from India.
What is the most important crop in Italy?
Olives and grapes are Italy’s two most lucrative agricultural exports.
What do they call eggplants in Europe?
Aubergine (UK) / Eggplant (US)
The word aubergine, used in the UK, comes from French. The word eggplant, which Americans use, was popular in different parts of Europe because they were more used to seeing small, round, white versions that looked a bit like goose eggs.
When did eggplants exist?
It has been cultivated in southern and eastern Asia since prehistory. The first known written record of the plant is found in Qimin Yaoshu, an ancient Chinese agricultural treatise completed in 544 CE.
When did eggplants originate?
Food historians have traced eggplants to their origins in either India or China. Some records show that eggplants were cultivated as early as 50 BCE. Travelers carried the fruit west to Europe, then eventually it arrived in America, thanks to Thomas Jefferson bringing seeds back from France.
What cultures use eggplant?
Eggplant is central to the French ratatouille, Greek moussaka, Middle Eastern baba ganoush, Italian eggplant parmigiana, and Asian stir fries and curries. It can be cooked in different ways: deep fried, roasted, sauteed, baked, grilled, mashed, braised, steamed, stewed, or stuffed.
What is the eggplant capital of the world?
New Jersey
Did you know that New Jersey grows about 66 percent of the world’s eggplants? It’s true!
Who has the biggest eggplant in the world?
The heaviest aubergine (Solanum melongena) weighed 3.362 kg (7 lb 6.6 oz) and was grown by Peter Glazebrook (UK) for entry in the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championships, held at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, Worcestershire, UK, on 22 September 2022.
Is eggplant the king of vegetables?
Eggplant is known as the king of vegetables with an exclusive array of health benefits. It aids to build strong bones and prevent osteoporosis, promotes heart health and manages diabetes.
Why is it called eggplant in America?
The American name, eggplant, has been used since the early 1800’s and is a reference to the vegetable being compared to a swan’s egg by an English botanist in the 1600’s.
Is eggplant parmesan actually Italian?
Eggplant Parmesan (Parmigiana di melanzane), is a true classic Italian dish that has become immensely popular around the world. So much so, it has spawned other versions of “Parmesan”-style dishes that don’t really exist in Italy (or at least not under this name), such as chicken Parmesan and veal Parmesan.