It’s hard to believe that we’re into August already! Where is 2024 going? A lot of farmers across the province will be starting harvest in the coming days and weeks, which means the 620 CKRM country cookouts will be returning this month as well. It’s also the time when our gardens are looking their best and getting ready to be harvested. Tomatoes, potatoes, corn, beans, cucumbers, and more will be ready to be picked and enjoyed. Maybe even eggplant? I’m not sure if it’s possible to enjoy eggplant.

Dave Bennett of Iowa is the new eggplant world record holder now. He plucked off an eggplant in his garden that weighed in a whopping 8.33 pounds! The average eggplant weighs less than a pound, but this one is over eight pounds, measuring in at 28 inches round and 32 inches from stem to base. In an interview with a local TV station he says he always fertilizes his garden with cow and sheep manure. Bennett is no stranger to record setting produce. Just two years ago he set a state record for the largest eggplant grown.

The previous world record belonged to gardener from Worcestershire, England when his eggplant in 2022 weighed just over seven pounds.

Eggplant is considered a fruit and is related to the tomato, potato, and even chili pepper families. Over 59 million tonnes of them are produced every year with India and China growing the most. The fruit is pear-shaped and often purple in colour. Generally, it’s cut up and cooked with other foods and vegetables and is often considered a great substitute for meat in vegetarian diets.

(Eggplant. Photo by Mark Stebnicki)