Eggplant are near and dear to my heart, and they're a misunderstood vegetable, I feel.

--Candace Minster, White Violet Center for Eco-Justice

It's peak summer here in the Midwest, and that means all the summer vegetables are coming on. I'm especially thinking of those in the nightshade family: tomatoes, peppers, hot chilies, and ...eggplant. This week on Earth Eats, we'll be exploring this beautiful and sometimes baffling superstar of the summer garden; including growing tips and mouth-watering recipes. If you think you don't like eggplant, stay with us. You might decide to give those shiny purple globes a second chance.

We start with Candace Minster of The White Violet Center for Eco-Justice. She offers us her expertise for raising your own eggplant. Then Chef Daniel Orr shares three exciting recipes including a soup, grilled eggplant roll-ups and a fresh take on the classic eggplant parmesan.

This is not the first Earth Eats Eggplant Extravaganza. Long time-listeners might remember this one from 2010. In case you can't get enough eggplant, we've got even more recipes for you here and here, enjoy!

Stories On This Episode

Curried Roasted Eggplant Soup With Coconut Milk

Soups aren't just for wintertime. Enjoy this bright, spicy soup in the peak of eggplant season.

Eggplant FARMesan

If you'd rather avoid frying, you can drizzle the breaded slices with olive oil and bake them in a hot oven.

Chef D's Grilled Eggplant And Asparagus Roll-ups

Try this light and festive preparation of eggplant, featuring asparagus, or another seasonal vegetable.

Farm Bill Provision Would Help Many African-American Farmers

Lawmakers in both chambers of Congress have introduced a bill that would expand access to USDA programs for farmers and ranchers who inherited land informally from ancestors.