
I grew up long ago in the land of eggplant Parmesan. As an Italian Catholic kid in New England, the Friday meatless-meal rotation featured fried eggplant layered with mozzarella and marinara... along with fish sticks. Various family members make the dish but everyone knows that my Aunt Josie bakes the best eggplant.
I did not find out until later that this was odd. I discovered that the vast majority of Americans never eat eggplant and reject its texture and taste. Meanwhile, mention eggplant or aubergine to anybody from almost anywhere else in the world, and they break out in a smile. We're talking about the comfort-food glories of Middle Eastern baba ghanoush, smoky Greek moussaka, Chinese eggplant in garlic sauce, Indian baingan bharta plus caponata and mirza-qasemi.
Source: http://www.boulderweekly.com/