Eggplant, also known as Brinjal, is a vegetable widely disliked and despised. If you don't believe it, try giving it to a child. The memories of childhood still linger where children were convinced to eat eggplant curry through stories about the crown the eggplant obtained and how it became the king of vegetables.
But the same plain eggplant takes on a genuinely rich flavor when cooked with the right methods and spices.
The origin of eggplant dates back to prehistoric times in India. Eggplant was introduced to the Western world much later. India's remarkable heritage has left an ancient legacy that spans a wide range of knowledge, from great Indian epics to treatises on sexuality, such as the Kamasutra, and culinary texts like Pak Shastra.
It is generally believed that eggplant was first cultivated in India and gradually spread to other parts of the world. The eggplant was introduced to the African region by Persia from India, while the Arabs brought it to Spain. From Spain, this humble vegetable with a crown reached the rest of Europe, and little by little, eggplant began to delight the entire world.
An Indian legend tells that the eggplant was a creation of the famous sage Vishwamitra, which is why it is known as "Vishwamitra Srishti," literally meaning "the creation of Vishwamitra." Due to its texture, eggplant is considered by many as a vegetarian substitute for meat, which is why it is not traditionally used in the kitchen during religious festivities.
