Cucumber is a creeping plant of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), widely cultivated for its edible fruit. Botanically speaking, cucumbers are fruits; however, they are considered vegetables in culinary contexts. The cucumber originated in India, where a great many varieties have been observed. It has been cultivated for at least 3,000 years, and was probably introduced … Read more
Green beans are the unripe, young fruit and protective pods of various cultivars of the common bean. Green beans are known by many common names, including French beans, string beans, snap beans and snaps. The green bean originated in Central and South America and there’s evidence that it has been cultivated in Mexico and Peru … Read more
Bell pepper also called sweet pepper, pepper or capsicum is a pepper cultivar in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Botanically speaking, bell peppers are fruits; however, they are considered vegetables in culinary contexts. Capsicum name comes from Greek word “kapto” which means “to bite” while “pepper” come from the similarity in taste with “black pepper.” They … Read more
Collard greens also called collards is a form of cabbage, of the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Collard greens are a broad-leafed vegetable of the Brassica oleracea species, which also includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and kale. Collard greens date back to prehistoric times, and are one of the oldest members of the cabbage family. Historians are … Read more
Chili peppers are the fruits of Capsicum pepper plants, noted for their hot flavor. Chile peppers are native to South and Central America. Chili peppers were domesticated more than 6,000 years ago in Mexico, in the region that extends across southern Puebla and northern Oaxaca to southeastern Veracruz. They were one of the first self-pollinating … Read more
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is an annual leaf vegetable of the daisy family, Asteraceae. It is without doubt the world’s most popular salad plant. Lettuce was first cultivated by the ancient Egyptians who turned it from a weed whose seeds were used to produce oil, into a food plant grown for its succulent leaves and oil-rich … Read more
A yam is a starchy vegetable. There are about 600 species of yams found around the world, most of them in the tropics. Yams are native to warmer regions of both hemispheres. They are grown in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Oceania. In certain tropical cultures, notably of West Africa and New Guinea, … Read more
Horseradish is a perennial plant of the family Brassicaceae (which also includes mustard, wasabi, broccoli, and cabbage). It is a root vegetable used as a spice. This vegetable known for its hotly pungent fleshy root, which is made into a condiment or table relish. Horseradish has been cultivated since ancient times. Horseradish is probably indigenous … Read more
Spinach is an edible flowering plant of the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae), used as a vegetable. It is native to central and western Asia. Spinach is thought to have originated in ancient Persia (modern Iran and neighboring countries). It is not known by whom, or when, spinach was introduced to India, but the plant was subsequently … Read more