Nightshades

The evocative name of this summer-cropping vegetable family belies their nature – these are veg that ripen to perfection in the hot sun. And every one of the nightshade family is an essential ingredient in the Indian kitchen. Aubergines/eggplant, capsicums/bell peppers, tomatoes and chillies – where would our cuisine be without them? Aubergines, in particular, hold a talismanic value for us.