Wild Eggplant (Solanum torvum)

Photo by Gayla Trail All Rights Reserved

Dominica is often referred to as The Garden of Eden, which comes as no surprise since it seems that just about anything will grow here. No matter where I am on the island, whether it be on the coast or in the mountain rain forest interior, I often see wild foods growing.

I found this plant, a wild form of eggplant, growing along the road just around the corner from the cottage we are staying in. Wild growing pumpkins were sharing the same space. Apparently, these pea-sized eggplants are edible but very bitter tasting. I don’t think I’ll take a crack at cooking them this time around since I think it might take some experience and know-how to work with the bitterness.

Gayla Trail
Gayla is a writer, photographer, and former graphic designer with a background in the Fine Arts, cultural criticism, and ecology. She is the author, photographer, and designer of best-selling books on gardening, cooking, and preserving.

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7 thoughts on “Wild Eggplant (Solanum torvum)

  1. Interesting how plants can be related and (at least to people like me) look nothing alike. I think you are supposed to harvest eggplant young and smaller to avoid bitterness, with these guys I hardly think that’s an option!

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