The nightshade, Solanum melongena, is a species of flowering plant, a member of the family Solanaceae. The fruit is called differently throughout the world: in French and Britain it's known as the aubergine, in North America - as the eggplant. Other names include brinjal, brinjal eggplant, melongene, or guinea squash.
The raw fruit can have a somewhat bitter taste, but becomes tender when cooked, and evolves into a rich, complex flavor.
