I'm thinking Middle Saxons of Beowulf's time would not use Aubergines much, give the plant appears to originate in India.

Now of course, Saxony leads the world in the conspicuous consumption of them, and various small towns hold annual aubergine festivals, where giant aubergines run down the narrow, cobbled streets, and are pelted with bulls from the first floor windows of the buildings overlooking the run. This only happens after the ends of last years fermented aubergine fire-water, now rich in unfortunate flavours and mild hallucinogens has been drunk....