1. Also known as aubergines. Eggplants are berries that can range from a couple inches in diameter to over a foot long. Availability: year-round; peak in August and September Storage: Cool, dry location for use within two days; Refrigerator vegetable drawer for up to one week.

2. A member of the nightshade family and related to the potato and tomato, this is actually a fruit instead of a vegetable. Eggplants come in various sizes (small, large), shapes (round, oval, elongated), and colors (purple, white). Generally speaking, its skin is tough and smooth and its flesh spongy and tender. It can be cooked a variety of ways and is popular in Asian, European, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cuisines.