Gettint to the Root </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Gettint to the Root

By SERGE LECOMTE

The eggplant may have begun its journey in China or Southeast Asia. If we follow its linguistic evolution, it begins in India as “vatin gana” (Sanskrit), transforms itself into “badingen” (Persian), into “albadingen” (Arabic).

When the Arabs bring the fruit to Spain in the 8-9th century it become “albadingena.” The French gave birth to the word “aubergine” (used by the English even today).

The eggplant was brought to the New World by the Spanish in 16th century.

The fruit is egg-shaped and comes in white, pale yellow, green, orange, purple and red.

The eggplant has more names than any other fruit: eggfruit (in Australia), garden fruit (in West Africa), Guinea squash, gully bean, pea apple, susumber and terong. It’s also called mala insana (mad apple) because it belongs to the family of nightshade plants, some of which are poisonous.

There’s a Middle Eastern saying: “To dream of three aubergines is a sign of happiness.”

Dr. Serge Lecomte graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in linguistics. He taught Russian and Spanish at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He has lived in the Homer area since 1999 and writes plays and novels for fun.

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