Garden Eggs

If you like eggplant, you will love the garden egg which is a type of eggplant and a versatile vegetable to add to a varied diet. The garden egg is a berry, although it is considered a vegetable. The genus Solanum contains a variety of species of eggplants and garden eggs that come in different sizes, shapes and colors, eaten in many different parts of the world. The small green, white or yellow garden eggs are native to Sub-Saharan African countries like Nigeria and Ghana and are eaten raw or used to prepare sauces. The green garden egg which is most commonly sold in the markets and by street vendors, has a mildly bitter but pleasant taste with a spongy texture. The garden egg is nutrient dense and contains, B vitamins, vitamin C, minerals such iron, calcium, potassium, copper and manganese. The garden egg is low in cholesterol, and rich in antioxidants and fiber. The nutrients obtained from the garden egg are beneficial for gut, immune and eye health. Kaunda and Zhang (2019) in their review article provide a detailed review of the multitude of nutrients and health benefits found in plants from the genus Solanum. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is the best way to obtain the different nutrients beneficial for optimum health. Enjoy this superfood!

Kaunda, JS and Zhang, Y (2019) Natural Products and Bioprospecting. 9:77-137.