I was vegetarian for about 16 years of my life. It was the lifestyle my parents were used to, so that was just the way they raised me. While I was vegetarian, I operated primarily on the Indian lentils-rice-vegetable diet. In other words, whatever my mother fed me was what I ate. Unfortunately, the one vegetable my mother hated was eggplant, so I went the majority of my childhood and young adult life unexposed to what I later realized was a truly fabulous vegetable. These babies are actually a vegetarian’s best friend. They are hearty, flavorful and actually filling on their own in a way that few other vegetables are. They are also currently in season. Take advantage of this tasty vegetable by trying it as a substitute for meat in some classic dishes – whether or not you are vegetarian, you won’t miss the meat with these healthy and flavorful recipes!

Love Chicken Parmesan? Make Eggplant Parmesan instead

This one may be the most obvious, but Robin’s version is lightened up and given a kick of chili pepper.

Recipe: Robin’s Neapolitan Eggplant Parmesan

Craving a Ham and Cheese Tortilla? Try a Vegetable Tortilla instead

Eggplant, along with onions, tomatoes, zucchini and green bell pepper give this frittata loads of interesting texture and flavor.

Recipe: Vegetable Tortilla (above)

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We all love good old eggplant parm, but this nightshade veggie is much more versatile. Here are five sensational summer recipes.

Grilled and Glazed
The char of the grill brings out the smoky sweetness of this veggie – perfect with savory and tangy hoisin sauce.

Recipe: Food Network Magazine’s Hoisin Eggplant (pictured above)

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Use eggplant for more than just eggplant parm.

Eggplant is often relegated to two things: eggplant parmesan and ratatouille. Don’t get me wrong, I love both (and I’m sure I’ve blogged about and written recipes for both), but there’s much more to the beloved aubergine (French for the gorgeous purple vegetable).

Eggplant is a sponge and absorbs the flavors of anything it’s partnered with. It soaks up garlic, wine, tomatoes, herbs — you name it. It’s a chameleon in purple clothing. Nutritionally speaking, eggplant has loads of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients with powerful antioxidant properties. One phytonutrient, nasunin, is found in the purple skin and is a potent free-radical scavenger that protects cell membranes from damage.

Caponata is another popular dish featuring eggplant, so I’m not taking a giant leap when it comes to recipe development. BUT, it’s summer party time and caponata makes an excellent addition to your appetizer and h’ordeuvres assortment. My recipe boasts a thick and rich blend of eggplant, onion, garlic, tomatoes, capers and red wine vinegar. Right before serving, I fold in basil for a burst of fresh flavor. Traditional caponata is served with pine nuts sprinkled on top but I chose toasted slivered almonds for their sweetness – they pair perfectly with the tanginess of tomatoes, vinegar and capers.

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When tiny, cutie-pie eggplants turned up in my CSA box, they were a little small for eggplant parm, but that’s not where my eggplant options end.

Get our quick eggplant dip recipe »

It's easier than you think to make this restaurant favorite at home.

My family originates from the Middle East so it’s traditional to find babaganoush alongside typical appetizers like hummus, tahini, pita bread, pickled vegetables and olives. Here are the basics to making a killer babaganoush.

The Eggplant
Babaganoush is basically a pureed eggplant salad. It’s typically used as a condiment or dip for veggies and pita bread. Make babaganoush by selecting a shiny and firm eggplant that’s heavy for its size. Rev up your oven and roast it for about 30 to 40 minutes until the center is tender. Some recipes call for peeled and diced or sliced eggplant, while others tell you to bake it whole. The main goal is to get the inside of the eggplant soft enough so you can puree it.

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Food Network Magazine's Hoisin Eggplant.

Grilled eggplant is a summer favorite, but there are plenty of other ways to enjoy this scrumptious delight. Check out these fun eggplant facts (did you know it’s a fruit?) and healthy, delicious recipes.

When, Where, & What?
Eggplants (Solanum melongena, Solanaceae) are part of the nightshade family along with peppers, potatoes and tomatoes. They were originally named after eggplants found in Europe that resembled an egg in shape and color. Eggplants only became acceptable to eat in the U.S. about 50 years ago; prior to that, folks believed that eating it caused insanity, leprosy and cancer.

Eggplants grow on vines, similar to tomatoes, and can be found in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. They can be white, purple, black or green and vary in length. Their shape can be spherical, curved, or long and narrow. The most common eggplants have a deep purple skin with a teardrop shape and are about 8 to 10 inches long.

Eggplants have a spongy flesh, meaty texture, and slightly bitter taste (the skin is especially bitter). Female eggplants contain more seeds and are more bitter, while male eggplants contain less seeds and have a slightly sweeter flavor. To determine the sex of an eggplant, check  the bottom: a female will have a deep indentation shaped like a dash while a male eggplant will have a shallow, round indentation.

The largest producers of eggplants in the U.S. include Florida, New Jersey and California. They’re also grown in Mexico, China, Italy, Turkey, Egypt and Japan. Popular varieties include Black Beauty, Rosa Bianca, Classic, Orient Express, Black Italian, Japanese, Lavender and Cloud 9. Eggplants are in peak season from July through October.

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Pasta with Eggplant-Parmesan Sauce - Photograph by Kang Kim/Food Network Magazine

Growing up in an Italian family, eggplant “parm” was a staple in my house. While it was cheesy, fried and delicious, nowadays I’d rather cut back on some of the calories and fat and focus on the delicious fresh ingredients.

See how we lighten up this Italian favorite »

This week, our readers here and on our Facebook and Twitter pages pondered yogurt dilemmas, peppery pizza and a healthy twist on that old favorite, eggplant Parmesan.

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There aren’t many vegetables I don’t love, and it would be tough to narrow my favorites down to a top 10 list. If I had to, though, eggplants would definitely make the list. Friends often ask, “Are there ways to prepare them other than fried eggplant?” Yes, of course!

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What dad doesn’t enjoy his grill and a great sandwich? Tomorrow, celebrate the fathers (and grandfathers) in your life with these cookout-friendly sandwiches – one for the meat eater, the other for the veggie eater and both a good alternative to a fatty hamburger or hot dog. Be sure to ask Dad what his favorite side is, or consider prepping a few of these salads.

Barbecued Pork Sandwich »
Grilled Eggplant Sandwich »