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About the Author

A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories through food, history, and folklore. Selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage, ensuring our digital timeline endures for generations.

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Grilled Garden Eggs Recipe

Garden eggs, what are garden eggs?

The garden egg gets its name from the small size of the eggplant and is roughly the same size as a chicken egg.
Garden Egg

Garden eggs in Africa are a vegetable grown in the subtropics and tropics popular in Central and West Africa.


Garden eggs in Africa are a vegetable grown in the subtropics and tropics. The name eggplant originates from the shape of the fruit. The leaves and fruits of eggplants are eaten boiled, steamed, pickled, or in soups and stews with eggplant leaves, other vegetables or meats.

Garden eggs, what are garden eggs? Garden eggs are a smaller variety of the eggplant that is highly cultivated and valued in most sub-Saharan African countries.

The garden egg gets its name from the small size of the eggplant and is roughly the same size as a chicken egg. In African Igbo society, the garden egg represents fruitfulness and good fortune.

The Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria traditionally welcome visitors into their homes by offering eggplant fruits customarily along with kola-nuts and seeds of alligator pepper.


Grilled Garden Eggs Recipe Ingredients and Directions.

1. Peel 4 garden eggs (or leave the skin on) and slice in half

2. Place garden eggs into a dish and season with salt and pepper and pour one tablespoon of olive oil over the eggplants.

3. Mix well and arrange the slices on a broiler and broil on each side for five minutes and serve warm.

Garden eggs are low in calories with about 35 calories in a one cup serving.


Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Recipes Explain Politics

The Deeper Recipe

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

Africa Worldwide: Top Reads

African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

How is content selected for the archive?

Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

Can researchers access the full archive?

Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.