The Simple Things

Taking time to live well
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Taking Time to Live Well

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Aubergines Sasha Gill..jpg

Get to know | aubergines

Iona Bower July 30, 2019

Photography: Sasha Gil

Because this purple veg box staple has been a stranger too long

You might think you know all there is to know about aubergines, but we’d warrant you are wrong. This large purple BERRY (yes, who knew?) brings a little med cheer to any summer dining table or barbecue, and we thought we’d share a few little known facts about it.

1 So, yes, it’s a berry, botanically speaking, but one of the nightshade family, like potatoes and tomatoes. Technically nightshades are poisonous but you’d have to eat an awful lot of the aubergines themselves and the leaves to do yourself any harm beyond a mild tummy ache brought on my overindulgence.

2 At various times aubergines have been believed to cause madness. In 13th-Century Italy it was believed to tip people into insanity and in India in the 19th Century it was noted that madness was more common in summer when aubergines were in season… Nothing to do with the heat, then?

3 Aubergines contain more nicotine than any other plant (with the possible exception of the tobacco plant). However, they aren’t dangerous, or even addictive (though they are very moreish, we find).

4 Aubergines consist of 95% water and half their volume is air.

5 Traditionally, in China, as part of her dowry, a woman must have at least 12 aubergine recipes at her fingertips before her wedding day. This sounds eminently sensible to us, unless you like to eat a LOT of ratatouille. 

The picture above is of Miso-Caramel Aubergines from Jackfruit & Blue Ginger (Murdoch Books), recipe and photography by Sasha Gill. You can find the recipe in our August issue, which is on sale now.

Get hold of your copy of this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

More from our August issue…

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August | a final thought
Aug 22, 2019
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Aug 17, 2019
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Aug 14, 2019
Nostalgia | Forgotten bakery goods
Aug 14, 2019
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More veggie lunches for summer…

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Recipe | Pepper, aubergine & feta pithivier
Mar 8, 2025
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Feb 7, 2023
Recipe | Rainbow Carrot & Beetroot Tart
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Feb 28, 2021
Recipe | Leek & Thyme Flatbreads
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InEating Tagsissue 86, August, aubergine, vegetarian
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Feb 27, 2025
Feb 27, 2025

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See the sample of our latest issue here

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Listen to our podcast - Small Ways to Live Well

Feb 27, 2025
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The Simple Things is published by Iceberg Press

The Simple Things

Taking time to live well

We celebrate slowing down, enjoying what you have, making the most of where you live, enjoying the company of of friends and family, and feeding them well. We like to grow some of our own vegetables, visit local markets, rummage for vintage finds, and decorate our home with the plunder. We love being outdoors and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with a job well done.

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