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For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage.

Trusted by: WikipediaEmory University African StudiesUniversity of KansasUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalMDPI Scholarly Journals.
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Fried Coconut Garden Eggs

The Persians brought eggplants to Africa and because of their shape they became known as garden eggs. Garden eggs in Africa are a vegetable grown in the subtropics and tropics popular in Central and West Africa.


Garden eggs in Africa have many different eggplant varieties. Purple and white varieties are available and there are varieties with mixed colors like light purple with white stripes, purple with green stripes or purple with green and white stripes. Shapes range from oval to elongated.

The Persians brought eggplants to Africa


The incredibly versatile garden egg eggplant works in everything from fritters, soups to stews in African recipes. 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.

Fried Coconut Garden Eggs Eggplant Recipe
Eggplant Recipe


Fried Coconut Garden Eggs.

Ingredients
1 large eggplant, peeled and finely diced
2 medium eggs, beaten
1½ coconut water
¼ cup coconut milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sweet coconut flakes
Ground dry hot peppers to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil for frying in a deep fat fryer

Directions
Add all ingredients adding more flour if necessary to make a thick batter. Drop by spoonful’s into hot oil until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel, sprinkle with additional salt and enjoy.

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


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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.