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Plant-BasedVegetables
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Eggplant / Brinjal / Aubergine

Solanum melongena

Eggplant / Brinjal / Aubergine is a nightshades vegetable, known for its fresh and earthy flavor profile, and rich in essential nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin A.

Regional names

Eggplant, Brinjal, Aubergine, Baingan

Origin

Eggplant / Brinjal / Aubergine is cataloged inside the nightshades lane of vegetables.

Native region

Cultivated globally across seasonal farming systems

Season

Highly seasonal by crop, with some year-round supply

Food Combinations & Timing

✅

Safe Combination Profile

It is safe to eat this food item with other food items.

Nutritional profile

Calories

36 kcal / 100 g

Protein

1.5 g

Carbs

7.2 g

Fat

0.2 g

Fiber

2.1 g

Water content

High (85% to 95%)

Glycemic index

Low

Vitamins

  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin K
  • Vitamin A

Minerals

  • Potassium
  • Folate
  • Calcium

Health benefits

Evidence-aligned highlights

  • Eggplant / Brinjal / Aubergine is grouped with nightshades ingredients that commonly contribute flavor, cooking flexibility, and category-specific nutrient value.
  • Eggplant / Brinjal / Aubergine can be compared against other vegetables items using the same EatPedia detail layout.
  • Eggplant / Brinjal / Aubergine is ready for future USDA and editorial enrichment while already carrying a structured safety and preparation profile.

Flavor notes

Fresh, Earthy, Nightshades

Texture

Ranges from crisp and watery to dense and starchy depending on the vegetable type.

Aroma

Nightshades aroma varies by variety, freshness, and preparation.

Pairings

Garlic, Olive oil, Lemon, Beans, Herbs

Safety & toxicity

Edible parts

Standard edible culinary portions of eggplant / brinjal / aubergine

Toxic or risky parts

Discard damaged, spoiled, or non-food-grade forms of eggplant / brinjal / aubergine

Raw vs cooked

Use nightshades items according to the ingredient's normal culinary form, whether raw, cooked, dried, soaked, or preserved.

Allergies & intolerances

People with known sensitivities to vegetables items should confirm tolerance before larger servings.

Drug interactions

Leafy or mineral-dense vegetables can matter for medication consistency depending on the specific item and clinical advice.

Safe daily limit

Typical meal-sized servings of vegetables items are appropriate for most adults when tolerated.

⚠️ Notice: This safety profile is a general guideline. Dietary tolerances differ; consult a healthcare professional for allergies or drug interactions. See our full disclaimer.

Who should avoid & how to handle it

Who should avoid or moderate

  • People with allergies, sensitivities, or medically restricted diets related to nightshades items should review tolerance carefully.

Preparation & storage

  • Clean: Wash, sort, or inspect eggplant / brinjal / aubergine according to its usual market form before use.
  • Cut: Cut, peel, grind, or portion eggplant / brinjal / aubergine according to the intended recipe and texture target.
  • Cook: Saute, roast, steam, braise, or serve nightshades vegetables raw depending on structure and flavor.
  • Store: Keep chilled and dry unless the specific item stores better in a cool pantry.
  • Preserve: Freeze, dry, ferment, or pantry-store eggplant / brinjal / aubergine according to the form you buy and how quickly you plan to use it.

Cuisine & cultural use

Common cuisines

  • Global home cooking
  • Soups
  • Roasts
  • Salads

Eggplant / Brinjal / Aubergine appears in Global home cooking, Soups, Roasts, Salads, often because its flavor structure and prep speed fit both everyday cooking and ceremonial dishes.

Dynamic Substitutions

No alternatives recorded for this specific item. It is chemically or botanically unique in the database.

🌱 Cultivation & Production

Eggplant / Brinjal / Aubergine Home Growing Guide

Learn how to grow and cultivate eggplant / brinjal / aubergine at home, whether you live in an urban apartment or have access to outdoor garden land.

Apartment Friendly

✗ Not Ideal for Apartments

No

Urban Space Advice

Not recommended for apartments unless using specialized dwarf varieties in large, heavy pots.

Difficulty

Hard

Propagation

Grafting (commercial propagation) or seeds (slower growth).

Soil Type

Deep, well-draining garden soil

Watering

Deep watering once a week

Sunlight

Full sun (8+ hours daily)

Best Season

Spring planting; fruits in Summer/Autumn

Step-by-Step Growing Guide

  1. 1

    For garden planting: Choose a sunny spot with deep, fertile, well-draining soil.

  2. 2

    Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and plant at the same depth as the container.

  3. 3

    Water deeply once a week, especially during the first two years and during fruiting.

  4. 4

    Prune annually in late winter to remove dead wood and shape the tree for sun exposure.

Quick recipes

Fast recipes using Eggplant / Brinjal / Aubergine

Dinner

Smoky Roasted Baingan Bharta

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Open-flame roasted charred eggplant mashed with ginger, tomatoes, and spices.

Ingredients

Servings:2
  • 1 large globe eggplant
  • 1 1/2 tbsp mustard oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp grated ginger
  • 1 tsp garam masala

Nutrition

  • 160 kcal
  • 3.5 g protein
  • 18 g carbs
  • 9 g fat

Preparation Steps

  1. 1Roast whole eggplant directly on open flame for 15 minutes until skin is charred.
  2. 2Peel skin and mash smoky flesh in a bowl.
  3. 3Sauté onions and ginger in mustard oil until golden, then cook tomatoes.
  4. 4Stir in mashed eggplant and garam masala, simmering for 10 minutes.