Did you know that some of the ‘vegetables’ used daily in the kitchen are actually fruits? Fruit And vegetables It can get pretty vague, especially in cooking, as many of the foods we think of as vegetables are actually fruits from a botanical perspective. According to botany, a fruit must be the flowering part of a plant and must also contain some seeds while a vegetable is any other part of a plant; a vegetable can be the root, stem or leaves. Here are 6 common vegetables that are actually fruits.
Tomato
Tomatoes are a clear example of a fruit that is mistaken for a vegetable. While tomatoes are used in a variety of salads, sauces, and dishes around the world, their botanical classification says otherwise. This is because tomatoes are flowers with seeds, which means they undergo a flowering process to become a fruit. In fact, whether ripe or unripe, tomatoes cannot be denied being a fruit. In fact, they are probably one of the most common fruits that are mistaken for a vegetable.
Capsicum
Capsicum or bell peppers come in many bright colors like red, yellow and green. These brightly colored “vegetables” make their way into salad dressings, stir-fries and pickles. However, botany-wise, they are fruits. Like tomatoes, capsicum usually contain seeds and develop from the flowers of the plant. This puts them squarely in the fruit family, although they often appear in savory dishes. Whether grilled, sautéed or raw, capsicums add a wonderful crunch and sweetness, but remember, it is a fruit by its very nature.
Eggplant
The eggplant or eggplant is another fruit that is often mislabeled as a vegetable. It appears frequently in cuisines around the world, from Indian curries to Mediterranean dishes like moussaka. But since it contains seeds and grows from the flower of a plant, the eggplant is actually a fruit. Whether it is grilled or roasted, stir-fried, this one-of-a-kind ingredient will always contribute to the flavour of any meal. While the gourd is often added to savoury dishes, the thing is that botanically, it is a fruit, which people are largely unaware of.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin, which in many forms is a fall and holiday staple, is another fruit that is mistaken for a vegetable. Pumpkin is included in soups, pies and curries, although the presence of seeds and its development from the flowering part of the plant makes it technically a fruit. From pumpkin puree to roasted pumpkin recipes, this nutrient-packed fruit is packed with vitamins and minerals. Surprisingly, pumpkin is classified as a fruit, despite the fact that most people consider it a vegetable, but its anatomy proves the opposite.
Bitter gourd
This bitter gourd, also known as karela, is not eaten by most people due to its bitter taste, but it ranks very high in terms of health. Although bitter gourd is mostly cooked as a vegetable, it is a fruit because it grows from the flower of the plant and contains seeds. A rich source of nutrition, bitter gourd is often found in traditional medicine, used for various health-related treatments. Although many people do not find it very tasty, bitter gourd is actually a fruit.
ladyfinger
Bhindi or okra is a common ingredient in many kitchens, especially those that use Indian and Southern style cooking methods. It is often cooked more like a vegetable than a true vegetable, although technically okra is considered a fruit because it contains seeds and it grows from the flower of the plant. All of these items on this list are fruits because they grow on the plant from a flower and will have seeds. It is famous for its sticky texture when cooked but when used correctly it gives a special flavor and texture to many dishes, Although it is found in salads, okra itself is a fruit.
Isn’t it incredible that the most common “vegetables” in our kitchens are fruits from a botanical point of view? Knowing about fruits and vegetables – or rather, the difference between them, especially from a botany point of view – piques curiosity, helping to appreciate the diversity and versatility of these foods. Although they are cooked or used like vegetables, their essence is linked to the seed-bearing structure and the development of the flower.
The next time you crave a tomato, capsicum or pumpkin, you are actually handling a fruit – although you may be using them differently in your favourite recipes. These fruits are largely hidden and play a huge role in international cuisine, providing much-needed nutrition and extra depth to many dishes. Whether it’s a salad, curry or side dish, knowing that those vegetables are actually fruits adds a fun twist to your adventure in the world of cooking.
Tomato
Tomatoes are a clear example of a fruit that is mistaken for a vegetable. While tomatoes are used in a variety of salads, sauces, and dishes around the world, their botanical classification says otherwise. This is because tomatoes are flowers with seeds, which means they undergo a flowering process to become a fruit. In fact, whether ripe or unripe, tomatoes cannot be denied being a fruit. In fact, they are probably one of the most common fruits that are mistaken for a vegetable.
Capsicum
Capsicum or bell peppers come in many bright colors like red, yellow and green. These brightly colored “vegetables” make their way into salad dressings, stir-fries and pickles. However, botany-wise, they are fruits. Like tomatoes, capsicum usually contain seeds and develop from the flowers of the plant. This puts them squarely in the fruit family, although they often appear in savory dishes. Whether grilled, sautéed or raw, capsicums add a wonderful crunch and sweetness, but remember, it is a fruit by its very nature.
Eggplant
The eggplant or eggplant is another fruit that is often mislabeled as a vegetable. It appears frequently in cuisines around the world, from Indian curries to Mediterranean dishes like moussaka. But since it contains seeds and grows from the flower of a plant, the eggplant is actually a fruit. Whether it is grilled or roasted, stir-fried, this one-of-a-kind ingredient will always contribute to the flavour of any meal. While the gourd is often added to savoury dishes, the thing is that botanically, it is a fruit, which people are largely unaware of.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin, which in many forms is a fall and holiday staple, is another fruit that is mistaken for a vegetable. Pumpkin is included in soups, pies and curries, although the presence of seeds and its development from the flowering part of the plant makes it technically a fruit. From pumpkin puree to roasted pumpkin recipes, this nutrient-packed fruit is packed with vitamins and minerals. Surprisingly, pumpkin is classified as a fruit, despite the fact that most people consider it a vegetable, but its anatomy proves the opposite.
Bitter gourd
This bitter gourd, also known as karela, is not eaten by most people due to its bitter taste, but it ranks very high in terms of health. Although bitter gourd is mostly cooked as a vegetable, it is a fruit because it grows from the flower of the plant and contains seeds. A rich source of nutrition, bitter gourd is often found in traditional medicine, used for various health-related treatments. Although many people do not find it very tasty, bitter gourd is actually a fruit.
ladyfinger
Bhindi or okra is a common ingredient in many kitchens, especially those that use Indian and Southern style cooking methods. It is often cooked more like a vegetable than a true vegetable, although technically okra is considered a fruit because it contains seeds and it grows from the flower of the plant. All of these items on this list are fruits because they grow on the plant from a flower and will have seeds. It is famous for its sticky texture when cooked but when used correctly it gives a special flavor and texture to many dishes, Although it is found in salads, okra itself is a fruit.
Isn’t it incredible that the most common “vegetables” in our kitchens are fruits from a botanical point of view? Knowing about fruits and vegetables – or rather, the difference between them, especially from a botany point of view – piques curiosity, helping to appreciate the diversity and versatility of these foods. Although they are cooked or used like vegetables, their essence is linked to the seed-bearing structure and the development of the flower.
The next time you crave a tomato, capsicum or pumpkin, you are actually handling a fruit – although you may be using them differently in your favourite recipes. These fruits are largely hidden and play a huge role in international cuisine, providing much-needed nutrition and extra depth to many dishes. Whether it’s a salad, curry or side dish, knowing that those vegetables are actually fruits adds a fun twist to your adventure in the world of cooking.
