**Edible Tree Cactus See The "N" Page NOPAL

**Eggplant, Aubergine Vegetable Solanum melongena
A member of the potato family, eggplant has wormed its way into our hearts and tummies, though it is sometimes said to have almost no food value. It loves warmth and lots of water. The seeds have to be soaked in water the night before planting to encourage germination. It grows very happily in pots in both Montserrat and in Taxco.
Harvesting: Eggplants are ready for harvesting when they give slightly when squeezed.
Varieties: I don't know the name of the purple and white variety that was a part of the Montserrat Department of Agriculture's planting program last year, but I would not recommend it. It produces very small eggplants which go from purple and white and ripe to yellow and over ripe in just a couple of days. We now have seeds for two new varieties from Greece, both are black, but "one is long for slicing and the other is round for stuffing," so we were told in fine English at a plant and seed store on the island of Corfu.
Note: The fruits will be bitter in hot, dry weather, but the plant will recover when cooler weather arrives.
Text & Photos Copyrighted © KO 2007

**Elkhorn Fern See The "F" Page FERNS

**Energy Bush See The "C" Page COCA

Epazote Chenopodium ambrosioides
This herb is commonly used in Mexican cooking; it is always added to a pot of black beans just before they are finished cooking to reduce abdominal gas. Clamoli, one of our favorite dishes, is also flavored with epazote.
Benefits: Aids digestion and kills intestinal worms.
Link: http://www.mofga.org/Default.aspx?tabid=846
Text Copyrighted © KO 2007

Eucalyptus
This is normally considered a very healing plant though I have what seems like an allergy to it and its aroma even in throat lozenges. It is a lovely small tree with pale gray round leaves.
Text Copyrighted © KO 2007