Black Beauty Eggplants

Magnus and I have nine plants, all producing rather well. I read in one gardening source to expect 2 to 6 fruit per plant. We´ve sampled two fruits last night and they are delicious, sauteed with leeks, garlick, Turk´s Turban peppers, cherry tomatoes, romas, and basil over rice or pasta! Magnus cannot believe how his tastes have changed since we´ve started gardening for self-sufficiency. It is one of his favorite vegetables now.

Bitter Melon

The bitter melon we started from seeds from my mom and sister, Vong-Maly. There are three separate vines on one trellis. The seeds were sown on June 11, and are fruiting now, just three months later. The blossoms are just so delicate, the males emerging before the female flowers. The fruit in the photos are the same, just at different stages. Magnus is looking forward to eating the fruit, just to see how bitter it really is. It´s supposed to be good for diabetes and cancer. Perhaps, the awful taste would drive out any pathogens!