These “tunisine” eggplant are from Palermo’s historic Ballaro’ open-air market. Eggplant is a staple in Sicilian cuisine. The Irish have potatoes; Sicilians have eggplant, or “melanzane.” These, a breed that originated in Tunisia, are perfect for eggplant “alla parmigiana.”
I love eggplant everything. But nightshade plants don’t love me right now. I do eat them on occasion, though! I like the Italian word for them, melanzane. Sounds even tastier!
Yes, “melanzane!” which means something like “crazy apples!”