A Short History of Melanzane, or Eggplant (2024)

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What is the history of eggplant melanzane? ›

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.

Believed to have originated in India, the eggplant was introduced to Sicily (and later, Europe at large) with the Arab domination of the 9th century—and quickly went from being an exotic curiosity to a staple of the Sicilian diet.

(US, Italian-American slang) dummy (as though “eggplant-head”) synonym ▲ Synonym: (Central Italy, rare) petonciano.

British gardeners named these “egg-plants” for their attractive appearance on plants they entered in competitions. The egg plants gained attention from the crowds at exhibitions, but it took courage to harvest and eat the fruits.

Geography/History

Once introduced, eggplants were extensively bred in Japan to create sweeter varieties with thin skin, spongy flesh, and smooth, sleek appearances. Eggplant production in Japan has spanned more than twelve centuries and is the third most important vegetable cultivated in the country.

noun. aubergine [noun] (British) a purple vegetable; eggplant(American)

According to the entry brinjal in the Oxford English Dictionary, the Sanskrit word vātin-gāna denoted 'the class (that removes) the wind-disorder (windy humour)': that is, vātin-gāna came to be the name for eggplants because they were thought to cure flatulence.

However, many of them are a shade of violet or purple, and this is caused by the presence of anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are pigments which often give red, blue or purple colouration in plants.

In contemporary slang, "gucci" is used to describe something as good, cool, or excellent. It originated from the luxury fashion brand Gucci, but its meaning has expanded beyond its association with the brand. When people use "gucci" to refer to something, they are expressing their approval or satisfaction with it.

In. #italian they're called melanzana.

What is a hotty slang? ›

: a sexually attractive person.

A backgrounder on one of Italy's most adored summer dishes.

The Arabs introduced the eggplant to the island, where today, most of Italy's eggplant is cultivated. However, some posit that the dish first originated in Campania, where one of the best-known eggpalnt varieties, the Violetta di Napoli, is grown.

Originally from India, the eggplant was widely used in North Africa, from where the Moors took it to Sicily.

From the Spanish "caponada", the word "caponata" derives from "capone", the name given in some parts of Sicily to the lampuga, a fish prized by the aristocracy that was seasoned with sweet and sour sauce. The people, unable to afford the expensive fish, replaced it with the cheaper aubergines and kept the tasty sauce.

Eggplant was early adopted in China as a vegetable crop, as attested by its presence in treatises such as the Atlas of Plants in Southern China written during the Western Jin Dynasty (265-316 CE), the Qimi Yiaoshu, a practical handbook of agriculture written at the time of the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420-581) ...

The Thai eggplant's ancestry can be traced to India, where eggplant grows both wild and domestically. From India, many varieties of eggplants were distributed and shared along trade routes in Asia and each region began creating their own hybrids and new eggplant varieties, like the Thai eggplant.

Eggplant pasta first became popular in southern Italy, before spreading across the country and around the globe. The Italians soon realized that eggplant lasagna could become a favorite dish when they discovered its versatility and how it could deliver so much happiness and contribute to better health.