With the fall equinox just around the corner you might be starting to think about parties and pumpkin pie, but instead of jumping into the holiday season, why not ease into it?
Meatballs and summer aren’t normally thought of together, but that’s only if you’re thinking about meatballs that contain meat. Today’s vegetarian meatballs are light enough to enjoy when it’s warm outside; plus they make great use of a vegetable that’s abundant this time of year: eggplant.
Beyond being delicious, some recipes work better for certain times. While you’ll enjoy today’s salad anytime it’s made with garden-fresh eggplant, it has the potential to become a weeknight hero. When you arrive home after work on a summer evening, garlicky eggplant salad makes a lovely meal; it’s uncomplicated, flavorful, and satisfying enough to be a light dinner all on its own.
Eggplant is a member of the family Solanaceae, commonly known as the Potato family of the genus Solanum L. or nightshade P, in the species Solanum melongena L. called eggplant P. The plant is believed to be native to India and there is Chinese documentation dating back to the 5th century recording agricultural technics in cultivating it.
Join Basmati.com every week for a Q&A session with one of Basmati’s practitioners, Melissa Hill (FDN-P)! We know that there is a lot of confusing information out there, which can make applying health advice overwhelming. Sometimes, it’s best to ask a practitioner directly, so each week we’ll cover a common health question!
Petunias are a member of the Solanaceae family that includes eggplants, peppers, potatoes and tomatoes. They became a separate species about thirty million years ago. The Petunia inflata is a small purple flower that attracts bees with its bright color, but some flowers lost their color and became Petunia axillaris, a larger white flower, resulting in the production of modified scent compounds to attract hawkmoths.
Nightshades contain some of the world's most poisonous and beloved plants all at once. Potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers are all related to belladonna (deadly nightshade), jimsonweed (Datura stramonium), and mandrake, yet we love eating them!
In all honesty, September always gives me mixed emotions. Let’s face it; it’s a strange month. We’re all too focused on savoring every last bit of that familiar summer breeze before we part ways, until next year. Yet, at the same time, we’re pinning all things “pumpkin spice” on Pinterest, and already shopping for Halloween decorations.
Alas, here we are with only a few weeks until the official end of summer, it’s time for all of us farmers’ market fanatics to showcase the best of the summer bounty. I want to share with you a few of my personal, quick, go-to recipes that feature my favorite summer farmers’ market finds. The beauty of the summer bounty is that the fruits and vegetables are so flavorful they require little work to truly be celebrated.