The most popular vegetable in south India, especially in Tamil Nadu is brinjal; the other chief vegetable in the countryside being the cluster beans called ‘kotthavarangai,' in Tamil. Vegetables like carrot, beetroot, cabbage, and cauliflower were called by villagers as “English vegetables”, since they were grown in hilly areas where English settlers lived in pre-Independent India.

Brinjals are of different varieties, in size, colour and taste. More than 100 varieties are available in the market. One variety, of giant size, called the balloon variety has become extinct probably due to its poor demand. Some places in Tamil Nadu are famous for the cultivation of this vegetable. Meesalur, near Virudhunagar, is noted for cultivation of brinjal, which has its unique taste. Multicoloured brinjals, splashed with blue green and white, are an attraction to people visiting the vegetable market, and they are in great demand, whereas the pure white variety is shunned by some orthodox vegetarians, since it reminds them of eggs! Brinjals without much seeds within are preferred for their added flavour....................Click for more

Source: The Hindu