eggplant

/ˌɛgˈplænt/

/ˈɛgplɑnt/

Other forms: eggplants

An eggplant is a large, purple-skinned vegetable that is especially delicious breaded, fried, and covered with cheese and red sauce.

Eggplants are one of those foods that we think of as a vegetables but are officially considered fruits. While an eggplant isn't particularly nutrient-dense, its spongy texture has an amazing ability to absorb flavors and oils, making it fun to cook with. Your experience with eggplants may include the Mediterranean dip baba ghanoush or cheesy eggplant parmesan sandwiches. The name comes from less-common white varieties that resemble eggs.

Definitions of eggplant

1. noun

   egg-shaped vegetable having a shiny skin typically dark purple but occasionally white or yellow
   synonyms: aubergine, mad apple

   type of:

   solanaceous vegetable

   any of several fruits of plants of the family Solanaceae; especially of the genera Solanum, Capsicum, and Lycopersicon
2. noun

   hairy upright herb native to southeastern Asia but widely cultivated for its large glossy edible fruit commonly used as a vegetable
   synonyms: Solanum melongena, aubergine, brinjal, eggplant bush, garden egg, mad apple

   type of:

   herb, herbaceous plant

   a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests