Globeville eggplant is a healthy and habit-forming meat substitute: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

Throughout its history, Globeville has been separated from Denver by the South Platte River, the railyards and two interstate highways. Consequently, the isolated residents have created a kingdom with a unique urban-farming culture. Globeville eggplant, a member of the tobacco family, is the healthy and habit-forming king of Globeville vegetables...

As illustrated on the Denver Neighborhood Seed packet shown above, Globeville eggplant is regarded with deep reverence. The plant was originally grown in the gardens of Globeville residents who worked in the nearby stockyards and wanted a healthy meat substitute in their diet. Globeville eggplant was found to be a versatile alternative that could be braised, stewed, steamed and stuffed.

Raw Globeville eggplant can have a somewhat bitter taste, but develops a complex flavor when cooked. The flesh absorbs large amounts of cooking fats and sauces, which is perfect for very rich dishes. The bitterness comes from the trace amounts of nicotine found in the seeds. Eating huge quantities of Globeville eggplant can become habit-forming, but a person would have to eat twenty Globeville eggplants a day for twenty years before it became addicting.

For medicinal purposes, the seeds of the Globeville eggplant can be removed to make a paste that can be applied to wounds as a disinfectant.

Find the Denver Neighborhood Seed Company Seed Packet for your neighborhood: 16th Street Mall Swiss Chard, Alamo Placita arugula, Athmar Park fennel, Baker green peas, Bear Valley Watercress, Belcaro broccoli rabe, Berkeley broccoli, Capitol Hill Cannabis indica, Cheesman cucumber, City Park celery, Clayton sweet potato, Cole pole bean, Congress Park cauliflower, Country Club cabbage, East Colfax okra, Elyria-Swansea heirloom tomato, Five Points beets, Hale kale, Highland Hops, Lincoln Park Asparagus, Mar Lee sweeties cherry tomatoes, Marston crookneck squash, North Capitol Hill carrot, Park Hill pumpkin, Ruby Hill habenero, Sloan Lake purple pop top turnip, Stapleton Brussels sprout, Sun Valley horseradish, Sunnyside sunflower, University Hills parsnip, Valverde tomatillo, Wash Park condo corn, Washington Virginia Vale watermelon, West Colfax kohlrabi, Westwood zucchini, and Windsor cantaloupe.