How to be nice to an eggplant

[Jannah]

http://www.taunton.com/finecooking/pages/c00161.asp

[sania]

That is a eulogy to the humble eggplant/aubergine.

Called brinjal in Indian English.
Baingan in Hindi,India's popular language.
Available at everyplace all thro' the year in many colors and varieties.

Average cost: 5 to 6 kilos for one US $ equivalent.

[Jannah]

I used to hate it when I was a kid! I love it now, I used to feel the same way about cucumbers, rhubarb and olives I love them all now, strange how you change your tastes! And most of all I adore olives

[sania]

That shows you are really grown up, Jannah!

[Jannah]

Part of the problem with the olives was my mum was addicted the stuffed green spicy olives, so I assumed as kids do, that they all tasted that way and refused to eat them. Then a friend of mine persuaded me to try some black ones in an Iraqi shop, they had hundreds of all varieties and they invited you to taste them before buying, oooh they were so delightful I became instantly addicted, I still prefer the black ones

[sania]

I dunno 'coz they are not generally available here.

[Jannah]

Then you're missing something! I thought you were a traveller, I kind of see you as a hippy type with beads and a painted what do they call them....? Caravanet? Something like that anyway hee hee lol