The plants' photosynthetic capabilities, life cycle, and economic importance are introduced. Within each chapter, related information is highlighted in colored boxes. Nutrition facts and agricultural concerns are described. Some terms and phrases are circled in blue and elaborated in margin notes. A glossary contains definitions of terms written in bold print.
Readers can find an ethnic recipe within each chapter.
One chapter describes the appearance, growing conditions, and planting and harvesting techniques of eggplants. It explains that the plant originates from India and was transported to Spain by Arab traders. It spread throughout the Mediterranean countries and eventually into England and France. Thomas Jefferson brought it to the United States from France, and though the initial planting failed, it is still grown in the heirloom garden at Jefferson's Virginia estate, Monticello. Readers learn that eggplant pickers have to wear gloves because there are stiff thorns near the stem.