Eggplant – Locally Known As Balanjay And Baigan In Guyana

Eggplant, locally known as Balanjay (Boulanger) and Baigan in Guyana is a genus of flowering plant that belongs to the nightshade family. It is often called the “king of vegetables” even though it’s technically a berry. The scientific name for this “vegetable” is Solanum. 

There are about 770 varieties of eggplant that can be found in tropical and sub-tropical areas around the world. People cultivate eggplant as a source of food. Other than that, eggplant can be cultivated as an ornamental plant in some parts of the world. There are many varieties of eggplants that are used throughout the world, and they are included in cuisines in many different ways.  Eggplant has the consistency of tomato and is a perfect addition to soups, stews, and sauces. Eggplant is used around the world to make a variety of dishes. But in Guyana, it is used to make choka (roasted eggplant). Eggplant or Baigan Choka is an Indo-Guyanese dish that is enjoyed by many Guyanese. It is best served with paratha roti.

Varieties of Boulanger – Photo By Grey Geezer – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32454674

Origin Of Eggplant

It is generally believed that Eggplants or Boulangers originated in India, where it grows wild. Since then it has been grown in Southern and eastern Asia.

Description Of Eggplant

The Eggplant is a delicate, tropical perennial plant. The plant grows from forty to one hundred and fifty (40-150) cm and has coarse leaves about ten to twenty (10-20) cm in length and five to ten (5-10) cm in width. The wild varieties sometimes grow larger. While the plant is botanically classified as a berry, some consider it a vegetable. There is a large number of tiny, edible but bitter seeds which contain nicotinoid alkaloids, like tobacco.

Boulanger – Photo By A3 Baard – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71071742

Scientific Classification of Eggplant

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Clade: Tracheophytes
• Clade: Angiosperms
• Clade: Eudicots
• Clade: Asterids
• Order: Solanales
• Family: Solanaceae
• Genus: Solanum

Nutritional Facts 0f Eggplant

These berries have close to zero fat and cholesterol, with a high water content. They are a great source of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, minerals like copper, folic, acid, potassium, manganese and phosphorous.

9 Wonderful Health Benefits Of Eggplant

1. Helps Digestion – Eggplants are great sources of fibre, which is important for a balanced diet. Fibre helps in regular bowel movements and stimulates gastric juice which allows for the processing of food and the absorption of their nutrients.
2. Weight Loss – Dietary fibre found in Eggplants helps to decrease the chance of obesity.
3. Prevents Cancer – Solasodine rhamnosyl glycosides that are present in the peels of eggplant has potential in killing skin cancer cells in a topical treatment.
4. Improves Bone Health – Phenolic compounds which are responsible for the colouring of Eggplants along with other vegetables, may reduce osteoporosis and improve the strength of bones and their mineral density. They also contain iron and calcium, which are important nutrients that the body needs.
5. Prevents Anemia – Eggplants contain iron, the lack of which can cause anaemia which causes weakness, fatigue and even cognitive issues.
6. Helps in Brain Function – Solanum or Boulanger contains phytonutrients that help in mental health and cognitive activity. They protect against free radicals and improve blood flow by widening the blood vessels.
7. Improve Heart Health – The consumption of  Eggplant decreases LDL (bad cholesterol)  in the body and increases the intake of HDL (good cholesterol). The reduction of LDL cholesterol levels can help to prevent several heart issues like heart attacks, strokes, and atherosclerosis. they also contain bioflavonoids which reduce blood pressure, thus improving heart health.
8. Helps in Type 2  Diabetes – Eggplants are an ideal food for persons with Type 2 Diabetes because this vegetable has a lot of fibre and little carbohydrates and as such is helpful in regulating sugar and insulin levels in the body.
9. Prevents Birth Defects – Boulangers contain a lot of folic acid, which is great for pregnant women as it can help protect from things like neural tube defects.

Interesting Tip

• Eggplants belong to the nightshade family  which can cause severe allergic reactions.  Tomatoes and bell peppers also belong to the same family.

9 Interesting Facts About Eggplants

1. While Eggplants can be round, long or shaped like a pea, they also vary in colour according to their species; some are lavender, purple, green, white or striped with red.
2. Eggplants are usually harvested after about sixty (60) days.
3. These berries can be baked, broiled, stuffed and grilled but they are usually added to vegetables and meats.
4. The plant was named after its round white berries, shaped like eggs, which was the original variety of Eggplants.
5. In Italy, it is known as crazy apple as many believe eating a lot can lead to madness.
6. The juice from Egpgplant leaves and roots can treat throat and stomach disorders, skin problems and asthma.
7. Delphinidin, from Eggplants, can prevent tumours and certain cancers.
8. China produces the most Eggplants in the world, some 28.800.000 tons yearly.
9. Eggplant is as perennial plant with a two (2) years lifespan in tropics whihc is reduce to one (1) in temperate climates.

Baigan Choka (Roasted Eggplant) Recipe

Baigan Choka – Photo By Richa1808 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40980420

Ingredients

• 2 small eggplants
• 6 cloves garlic
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 large tomato
• 2 wiri wiri peppers, chopped
• 3 stalks eschalot
• salt to taste
• oil

Instructions

1. Wash eggplants and make 3 slits about an inch long. Stuff one clove of garlic in each. Repeat step for the other eggplant.
2. Light stove and roast over an open fire. The skin should be crisp and the smell of eggplant should be wafting when its done roasting.
3. When done, roast tomato.
4. Remove from heat and peel both eggplants and tomato Hold onto the stem and peel gently with a fork.
5. In a bowl, mash eggplant and tomato.
6. Add pepper, onion and oil and mix.
7. Serve warm with paratha roti!

Watch this: Baigan / Eggplant Choka step by step Video Recipe II Real Nice Guyana (HD).

About Eggplant

This fruit is called Baigan and Balanjay in Guyana and is a common food. However, it can be found almost anywhere in the world. It is used to make Baigan Choka which is an Indo Guyanese dish that is best eaten with Paratha Roti. In other parts of the world, it is incorporated in stew, sauces and soups.

Article References:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggplant
• https://www.softschools.com/facts/plants/eggplant_facts/1052/
• https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-eggplant.html

Last Updated: 2020-07-23