better than a great veggie sammie on focaccia; begin with slicing eggplant lengthwise. Brush with good olive oil, freshly ground pepper and a sprinkle of garlic powder (not garlic salt). Roast in oven at 400, on top rack, for just a few minutes. Roast until egg plant begins to soften ever so slightly and remove. You can grill it on the indoor grill if you prefer.

I use a variety of veggies to finish this sammie. I use a slice of roasted or grilled mushroom, zucchini or yellow summer squash when in season, onion. I always add fresh spinach leaves, tomato, roasted red pepper. You may make any veggie addition you wish to your sammie. I usually add a slice of cheese, whichever you prefer, and top with a flavored mayo, such as pesto mayo, dried tomato, garlic, you can use herbs to flavor mayo even a bit of fresh dill is good. Anything your heart desires. I always toast the focaccia under the broiler a bit before slathering with the mayo of choice or just EVOO is outstanding.

I heard Eggplants are poisonous raw, is that true?!

you can grill eggplants by slightly slicing the sides and stuffing garlic cloves inside place on the grill and keep turnibg until cooked cut in half and scoop out the insides crush with a fork, add salt, hot cayenne pepper, onions and a teaspoon of olive oil this can be eaten with rice

You can also stew eggplant together with potatoes/chicken cubes (or meat of your choice) it sticks to the chicken which makes the chicken absolutely deliciouus

You can also make a dough and use the eggplant as stuffing this must be fried then use tamarind sauce for dipping

Also you can use split pea powdered flour, add baking powder, regular flour, salt and water mix together to become the same texture as pancake mix, cut the eggplant in 6 inch strips dip into the split pea batter, this must also be fried. For dipping sauce grate a green mango until you have reached the seed season with hot pepper and salt and a teaspoon of water

yes, no and maybe.

yes because technically all the nightshade family produce natural toxins.

no because the amounts are so small you're very unlikely to be affected.

maybe because some people are more sensitive to the problem than others.

I wonder if there's any thing that somebody in the world is not allergic to . . .

Tomatoes are also considered a night shade if I am not mistaken.

My poor little granddaughter is allergic to tomatoes...and chicken, grapes, apples, and soy all of which she loves. I let her eat them and I treat the symptoms with Anti-Histamines. Why should she not be allowed to eat a nice crunchy apple from time to time? I hope she will outgrow it some day.