From fritters to smoky baingankabharta, brinjal is one of the staple vegetables found in Indian households
Want it to be a snack? It's possible. Want it to be curry? Sure, we can do that. Want it to turn into a form of chutney? That's also doable because brinjal, commonly known as eggplant, is as versatile as it gets. Packed with nutritional values, brinjal is also a staple in every Indian household.
In the following paragraphs, take a look at the vegetable's nutritional values, health benefits, and some mouth-watering recipes.
Given brinjal is a nutrient-dense food, it is packed with vitamins, minerals, and fibre in a few calories. If a person consumes 82 grams of brinjal, here are the nutrients the person can receive:
Not to forget, small amounts of magnesium, niacin, and copper are also found. Furthermore, brinjal is also super-rich in antioxidants.
Daily Nutrition Information: Important points:
— Dr. Subhasree Ray (@DrSubhasree) September 17, 2020
1. Cucumber is a good source of Vitamin K.
2. Green tea has a good amount of Vitamin B2 and Manganese.
3. Eggplant/Brinjal can provide good amount of copper and B vitamins.
4. Egg has almost all essential vitamins & minerals. pic.twitter.com/HeWwA4PaSq
Credit- X/@DrSubhasree
Protection against free radicals: The presence of high antioxidants protects the body from free radicals. Studies have also shown that antioxidants in brinjal could prevent heart diseases, cancer, and other chronic ailments.
Lowers LDL: In one study, rabbits with high levels of LDL and triglycerides were given 10ml of brinjal juice for two weeks. After two weeks, the rabbits showed lower levels of LDL and triglycerides—two substances that, if found to be high levels in the human body, lead to heart diseases.
Promote blood sugar: Brinjal may promote blood sugar levels as well. Given that brinjal is high in fibre, it slows the rate of digestion and reduces the body's absorption of sugar. For this reason, brinjal could also help people lose weight, given that it has meagre calories but high fibre.
BainganBharta: Bharta is one of the most famous dishes one can produce from brinjal. First, the brinjal is smoked directly on fire and then mashed with garlic, tomatoes, onion, mustard oil, and coriander leaves. One can pair it with roti, paratha or even litti, which is a very famous dish in Bihar.
Gakkad Bharta is a local recipe of Madhya Pradesh.
— Anurag Shukla (@Anuraag_Shukla) February 22, 2024
It is made with Brinjal, Potato, Tomato and local spices.
The Gakkad are served with Desi Cow Ghee. pic.twitter.com/P7ALMsbzQL
Credit – X/ @Anuraag_Shukla
Beguni: A snack from the Indian state of West Bengal, this is one of the simplest dishes one could prepare with brinjal. Slice the brinjal, dip it in a batter of gram flour, and deep fry it in mustard oil. One can add any spice to the batter as they want. Pair with a chutney or sauce of your liking.
This recipe is all you’ve got to know to ace one of the Bengali uber favourites, pakodas or fritters made of brinjal. Best had with steaming hot ‘bhaat’ topped with dal & a drizzle of ghee!#BengaliRecipe #BengaliFood #Bengal #ChefsRasoi #FoodFood pic.twitter.com/5czy8eM5Yz
— FoodFood (@FoodFood) September 1, 2020
Credit – X/ @FoodFood
VankayaPulusu: Cooked in tamarind sauce with spice and jaggery, this curry from Andhra Pradesh is bound to introduce you to the world of different flavours. Usually, Pulusu is served with plain steamed rice.
EnnaiKathirikaiKuzhambu: A Tamil version of stuffed brinjal or baingan, EnnaiKathirikaiKuzhambu is stuffed brinjal simmered in a tamarind-based gravy.
With so many health benefits and nutritional values, brinjal must be consumed often, if not daily, to keep one's health in check.
