How did eggplants get their name; they don't look like eggs to me?

gmackematix

Apparently some 18th century cultivars had white fruits that did look like hens or geese eggs so the name stuck. See the "History" section of the wiki article. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggplant Here in Britain they are known as aubergines or that thing that resembles a bit of shoe sole in the middle of a moussaka. Sep 12 09, 6:32 AM

zbeckabee

What the Europeans saw with the first arrivals of eggplant were egg-shaped fruits that were either purple, white, or yellow. Before the fruit was accepted as an edible food, it was grown only for its appealing ornamental qualities. http://www.vegparadise.com/highestperch67.html Here are two pictures that will give you a better idea: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thai-food-blog/893886245/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/rigues/85838972/ Sep 12 09, 6:49 AM