Scarlet eggplant

The scarlet eggplant is a fruiting plant of the genus Solanum, related to the tomato and eggplant. Its green fruit is known as Gilo (Brazilian Portuguese: Jiló). It was once treated as a distinct species, Solanum gilo, but it is now known to be a cultivar group of Solanum aethiopicum (the Ethiopian Eggplant or nakati).

Scarlet Eggplant
Gilo
Jiló (var. morro redondo) in a market in São Paulo, Brazil
SpeciesSolanum aethiopicum
Cultivar groupGilo Group
Cultivar group membersMany; see text.

Gilo was brought to Brazil from West Africa during the slave trade. It is still grown in West Africa, where it is sometimes called "garden eggs."[1]

Widely grown in Brazil, it is normally cooked as a vegetable. The fruit turns orange-red when ripe, but is usually picked and cooked while it is green.[1] In Mizo it is called samtawk.

Varieties, taste and usage

Some varieties, like morro redondo, can have a bitter flavor which is an acquired taste. Solanum gilo 'Black Stream' has black stems and red or orange fruits; it is grown in France as an ornamental, and can be dried for winter decorations.

More information

References
  1. Jiló Solanum gilo


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