Eggplants

Dozens of varieties of this nightshade are cultivated in Southeast Asia. They come in a seemingly endless array of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. Some are supple and creamy, others crisp and bitter. Each is employed in a way that highlights its special characteristics. Thailand is by far the largest consumer of eggplant among the countries in the region. Thai: ma keuua yao; Malay: terung pipit; Vietnamese: cà tím