Seeds of Complex Heritage
SOLANUM AETHIOPICUM
In Italy, there is a specific type of Solanum aethiopicum called Melanzana rossa di Rotonda. This particular variety is primarily grown in the town of Rotonda and other parts of the Basilicata region of Italy. It is prized for its unique red-colored fruits and ability to adapt to different growing conditions. Contrary to the eggplant’s common name and descriptions, this vegetable’s origin and introduction to Italy remain obscured. Italian soldiers who returned from the first Italian colonial campaign took seeds from Ethiopia into Italy. To clarify this history, the Aterraterra collective started disassociating this variety from its previous name Melanzana rossa di Rotonda and began referring to it as Ethiopian red aubergine in 2022. The previous name only served to obscure the complicated background of this vegetable while implying a form of Italianization that hides away knowledge associated with colonialism—an era that Italy has not yet confronted. The Ethiopian eggplant is among many other cultivars within the species of Solanum aethiopicum. The red Ethipoian eggplant is generally smaller in size with an elongated form that comes in shades of purple, red, green or even white. In Ethiopia, this vegetable finds its place cooked in traditional stews and sautés.
SEED SAVERS
Aterraterra Lab, Palermo (Italy) ︎︎︎
Eixarcolant, Barcelona (Spain) ︎︎︎
Postane, Istanbul (Turkey) ︎︎︎
Spore Initiative, Berlin (Germany) ︎︎︎
Tlayolan, Berlin (Germany) ︎︎︎
Wolves Lane Centre, London (United Kingdom) ︎︎︎
Red Ethiopian Eggplant
SOLANUM AETHIOPICUM
In Italy, there is a specific type of Solanum aethiopicum called Melanzana rossa di Rotonda. This particular variety is primarily grown in the town of Rotonda and other parts of the Basilicata region of Italy. It is prized for its unique red-colored fruits and ability to adapt to different growing conditions. Contrary to the eggplant’s common name and descriptions, this vegetable’s origin and introduction to Italy remain obscured. Italian soldiers who returned from the first Italian colonial campaign took seeds from Ethiopia into Italy. To clarify this history, the Aterraterra collective started disassociating this variety from its previous name Melanzana rossa di Rotonda and began referring to it as Ethiopian red aubergine in 2022. The previous name only served to obscure the complicated background of this vegetable while implying a form of Italianization that hides away knowledge associated with colonialism—an era that Italy has not yet confronted. The Ethiopian eggplant is among many other cultivars within the species of Solanum aethiopicum. The red Ethipoian eggplant is generally smaller in size with an elongated form that comes in shades of purple, red, green or even white. In Ethiopia, this vegetable finds its place cooked in traditional stews and sautés.
SEED SAVERS
Aterraterra Lab, Palermo (Italy) ︎︎︎
Eixarcolant, Barcelona (Spain) ︎︎︎
Postane, Istanbul (Turkey) ︎︎︎
Spore Initiative, Berlin (Germany) ︎︎︎
Tlayolan, Berlin (Germany) ︎︎︎
Wolves Lane Centre, London (United Kingdom) ︎︎︎