kitchen

It may surprise you to learn that eggplant is not what it seems: this native Indian plant is actually a fruit! Eggplant has had many uses throughout history; for example, women in ancient China created a dye out of eggplant skins to polish their teeth to a shiny gray. As more than just a tooth dye, however, this fruit is used in recipes all over the world. Here are four delicious examples.

When Columbus crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1492, he expected to find the riches and spices of the West Indies. To their dismay, they returned to Spain without the treasures they had anticipated. However, one of their many discoveries impacted the world dramatically—the culinary world, that is. The explorers discovered gold in a form never before seen in the eastern hemisphere. The gold was enveloped by filmy, green leaves and had fine, yellow strands protruding from its tip. This kind of gold affected the world’s palate as it spread out from the Americas and worked its way into cultures around the world. Corn, the American gold, has been incorporated in recipes around the globe as appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The following recipes come from different countries, but all share a common ingredient: corn.