Although eggplant is not that popular in the United States, those in the South have plenty of eggplant recipes. If you aren’t particularly fond of eggplant but you’re concerned about your health, consider this: scientific studies have shown that eggplants have properties that can help prevent or treat high blood cholesterol. Eggplants are said to prevent formation of free radicals (cancer-causing agents) and keep cholesterol levels under control.

1 large eggplant
3 tbsp olive oil
1 ball mozzarella cheese, cut in 8 slices
2 plum tomatoes, each cut in 4 slices
a handful of large basil leaves
salt and pepper to taste

Cut eggplant lengthwise into 10 thin slices. Throw away the two outside slices. Sprinkle salt on the 8 eggplant slices and set aside for 20 minutes. Rinse the eggplant slices in cold water and dry using paper towels.

Preheat the grill to high. Arrange eggplant slices in a pan lightly sprayed or brushed with olive oil. Place pan under grill for 10 minutes or until the eggplant slices turn golden. Turn the eggplant slices during grilling. When eggplant slices are cooked, remove the pan from the grill. Place a slice of mozzarella cheese and tomato in the center of each eggplant slice. Garnish with basil leaves and season with a little pepper. Fold eggplants over the filling in the center. Cook the eggplant slices seam-side down under the grill until the cheese starts bubbling. Remove the pan from the grill and place the eggplants on a serving plate. Drizzle a little olive oil and serve hot.

• Eggplants are vegetables that are native to India. Early eggplant varieties had a bitter taste, but through crossbreeding, the flavor of eggplant has improved considerably.

• Did you know that eggplants are actually related to tomatoes, potatoes and peppers? And did you know that technically, eggplants are classified botanically as berries?

• Hundreds of years ago, Europeans believed that eating eggplant caused one to go mad. It was also believed that eggplants caused cancer, leprosy and bad breath. This is why eggplants were used more for decorating than cooking throughout England and even the United States up until the 1900s.

• It was Thomas Jefferson who brought to the US the first eggplants.

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