Aubergine

Fruit Salad:

Benefits:

Long prized for its deeply purple, glossy beauty as well as its unique taste and texture, eggplants are now available in markets throughout the year, but they are at their very best from August through October when they are in season.
Eggplants belong to the nightshade family of vegetables, which also includes tomatoes, sweet peppers and potatoes. They grow in a manner much like tomatoes, hanging from the vines of a plant that grows several feet in height. While the different varieties do range slightly in taste and texture, one can generally describe the eggplant as having a pleasantly bitter taste and spongy texture.

While eggplant is unable to boast about its vitamin content, it does have some nutritional merits. Low in calories and sodium, eggplant can also be counted on to deliver plenty of minerals. Eggplant also contains the phytochemical monoterpene that may be helpful in preventing the growth of cancer cells.Eggplant is a good choice because its high fiber content helps digestive function, and lowers risk of coronary heart disease. In addition, eggplant contains potassium, Vitamin C, and protein. Nutritional Highlights Eggplant (cubed, raw), 1 cup (200g) Calories: 21 Protein: 0.83g Carbohydrate: 5g Total Fat: 0.15g Fiber: 2.0g