Vegetable

Vegetable
The noun vegetable usually means an edible plant or part of a plant other than a sweet fruit or seed. This typically means the leaf, stem, or root of a plant. However, the word is not scientific, and its meaning is largely based on culinary and cultural tradition. Therefore, the application of the word is somewhat arbitrary and subjective. For example, some people consider mushrooms to be vegetables,[1] [2] [3] while others consider them a separate food category.[4] Some vegetables can be consumed raw, some may be eaten raw or cooked, and some must be cooked in order to be edible. Vegetables are most often cooked in savory or salty dishes. However, a few vegetables are often used in desserts and other sweet dishes, such as rhubarb pie and carrot cake. As an adjective, the word vegetable is used in scientific and technical contexts with a different and much broader meaning, namely of "related to plants" in general, edible or not as in vegetable matter, vegetable kingdom, vegetable origin, etc.[5] The meaning of "vegetable" as "plant grown for food" was not established until the 18th century.[6]
Farmers' market showing vegetables for sale in Lhasa, Tibet

Fruit and vegetable output in 2004

Etymology
"Vegetable" comes from the Latin vegetabilis (animated) and from vegetare (enliven), which is derived from vegetus (active), in reference to the process of a plant growing. This in turn derives from the Proto-Indo-European base *weg- or *wog-, which is also the source of the English wake, meaning "become (or stay) alert". The word "vegetable" was first recorded in English in the 15th century,[7] but applied to any plant. This is still the sense of the adjective "vegetable" in science.[5] The related term vegetation also has a similarly broad scope.

Vegetables in market

Melon Yard at Heligan Cornwall England

Vegetable

Fruit vs. vegetables

There are at least four definitions relating to fruits and vegetables: Fruit (scientific): the ovary of a seed-bearing plant, Fruit (culinary): any edible part of a plant with a sweet flavor, Vegetable: any edible part of a plant with a savory flavor. Vegetable (legal): commodities that are taxed as vegetables in a particular jurisdiction

In everyday, grocery-store, culinary language, the words "fruit" and "vegetable" are mutually exclusive; plant products that are called fruit are hardly ever classified as vegetables, and vice versa. For scientists, An Euler diagram shows the overlap in the terminology of "vegetables" in a culinary sense the word "fruit" has a precise botanical meaning (a part that developed and "fruits" in the botanical sense. from the ovary of a flowering plant), which is considerably different from its common meaning, and includes many poisonous fruits. While peaches, plums, and oranges are "fruit" in both senses, many items commonly called "vegetables" such as eggplants, bell peppers, and tomatoes are technically fruits, while cereals are both a fruit and a vegetable, as well as some spices like black pepper and chillies. Some plant products, such as corn or peas, may be considered vegetables only while still unripe. The question of whether the tomato is a fruit or a vegetable found its way into the United States Supreme Court in 1893. The court ruled unanimously in Nix v. Hedden that a tomato is correctly identified as, and thus taxed as, a vegetable, for the purposes of the 1883 Tariff Act on imported produce. The court did acknowledge, however, that, botanically speaking, a tomato is a fruit.[8] Languages other than English often have categories that can be identified with the common English meanings of "fruit" and "vegetable", but their precise meaning often depends on local culinary traditions. For example, in Brazil the avocado is traditionally consumed with sugar as a dessert or in milk shakes, and hence regarded as a fruit; whereas in other countries (including Mexico and the United States) it is used in salads and dips, and hence considered a vegetable.

Examples of different parts of plants used as vegetables

The list of food items called "vegetable" is quite long, and includes many different parts of plants: Flower bud: broccoli, cauliflower, globe artichokes Seeds: Sweetcorn (maize), peas, beans, corn Leaves: kale, collard greens, spinach, beet greens, bok choi, choi sum, turnip greens, endive, lettuce, water crest, garlic chives, gai lan Leaf sheaths: leeks Buds: Brussels sprouts, capers Stem: Kohlrabi Stems of leaves: celery, rhubarb, cardoon, Chinese celery, lemon grass Stem shoots: asparagus, bamboo shoots, and ginger Tubers: potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, sweet potatoes, taro, and yams Whole-plant sprouts: soybean (moyashi), mung beans, urad, and alfalfa. Roots: carrots, parsnips, beets, radishes, rutabagas, turnips, and burdocks. Bulbs: onions, shallots, garlic Fruits in the botanical sense, but used as vegetables: tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, zucchinis, pumpkins, peppers, eggplant, tomatillos, christophene, okra, breadfruit and avocado, and also the following:
A Cilantro leaf.

Vegetable Legumes: green beans, snap peas, soybean

Nutrition
Vegetables are eaten in a variety of ways, as part of main meals and as snacks. The nutritional content of vegetables varies considerably, though generally they contain little protein or fat,[9] [10] and varying proportions of vitamins, provitamins, dietary minerals, fiber and carbohydrates. Vegetables contain a great variety of other phytochemicals, some of which have been claimed to have antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anticarcinogenic properties.[11]
[12]

However, vegetables often also contain toxins and antinutrients such as -solanine, -chaconine,[13] enzyme inhibitors (of cholinesterase, protease, amylase, etc.), cyanide and cyanide precursors, oxalic acid, and more.[14] Depending on the concentration, such compounds may reduce the edibility, nutritional value, and health benefits of dietary vegetables. Cooking and/or other processing may be necessary to eliminate or reduce them. Diets containing recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables may help lower the risk of heart diseases and type 2 diabetes. These diets may also protect against some cancers and decrease bone loss. The potassium provided by both fruits and vegetables may help prevent the formation of kidney stones.[15]

South Asian style stir fry ipomoea aquatica in chili and sambal

Color pigments

Vegetables (and some fruit) for sale on a street in Guntur, India

The green color of leafy vegetables is due to the presence of the green pigment chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is affected by pH and changes to olive green in acid conditions, and bright green in alkaline conditions. Some of the acids are released in steam during cooking, particularly if cooked without a cover. The yellow/orange colors of fruits and vegetables are due to the presence of carotenoids, which are also affected by normal cooking processes or changes in pH. The red/blue coloring of some fruits and vegetables (e.g. blackberries and red cabbage) are due to anthocyanins, which are sensitive to changes in pH. When pH is neutral, the pigments are purple, when acidic, red, and when alkaline, blue. These pigments are very water soluble.

Vegetable

Safety
For food safety, the CDC recommends proper fruit handling and preparation to reduce the risk of food contamination and foodborne illness. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be carefully selected. At the store, they should not be damaged or bruised and pre-cut pieces should be refrigerated or surrounded by ice. All fruits and vegetables should be rinsed before eating. This recommendation also applies to produce with rinds or skins that are not eaten. It should be done just before preparing or eating to avoid premature spoilage. Fruits and vegetables should be kept separate from raw foods like meat, poultry, and Pulse seeds. seafood, as well as any cooking utensils or surfaces that may have come into contact with them (e.g. cutting boards). Fruits and vegetables, if they are not going to be cooked, should be thrown away if they have touched raw meat, poultry, seafood or eggs. All cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables should be refrigerated within 2 hours. After a certain time, harmful bacteria may grow on them and increase the risk of foodborne illness.[16]

Storage
Proper post harvest storage aimed at extending and ensuring shelf life is best effected by efficient cold chain application. All vegetables benefit from proper post harvest care.[17] Many root and non-root vegetables that grow underground can be stored through winter in a root cellar or other similarly cool, dark and dry place to prevent mold, greening and sprouting. Care should be taken in understanding the properties and vulnerabilities of the particular roots to be stored. These vegetables can last through to early spring and be nearly as nutritious as when fresh.

Vegetables

During storage, leafy vegetables lose moisture, and the vitamin C in them degrades rapidly. They should be stored for as short a time as possible in a cool place, in a container or plastic bag.

Standards
There are a series of ISO standards regarding fruits and vegetables.[18]

Notes
[1] "Mushrooms" classified under "Other vegetables". In Inside the Pyramid: What foods are in the vegetable group? (http:/ / www. mypyramid. gov/ pyramid/ vegetables. html) United States Department of Agriculture. Last modified on 2009-04-15 04:56 PM. Retrieved 2009-06-24. [2] "When stuffing round vegetables such as cherry tomatoes and mushroom caps, first cut a small slice off the bottom..." In Cooking Tips: Stuffing Vegetable Hors D'oeuvres (http:/ / www. joyofcookingfoods. com/ CookingTip_tipStuffingHorsDoeuvres. aspx) at Joy of Cooking (http:/ / www. joyofcookingfoods. com/ ) site. Bellisio Foods, Inc. (2009). Retrieved 2010-01-15. [3] "Mushrooms" classified under "VEGETABLES". In Suggestions - Vegetables (http:/ / www. cooks. com/ rec/ ch/ vegetables. html) at Cooks.com. Accessed on 2009-06-24]. [4] Alternative Crops and Plants: Vegetables and Mushrooms (http:/ / afsic. nal. usda. gov/ nal_display/ index. php?info_center=2& tax_level=3& tax_subject=298& topic_id=1424& level3_id=5934). United States Department of Agriculture. Last modified on 2009-06-08. Retrieved 2009-06-24. [5] Swedenborg, Emanuel (2003). Swedenborg Concordance 1888. Kessinger Publishing. p. 502. ISBN 0-7661-3728-7. [6] Ayto, John (1993). Dictionary of Word Origins. New York: Arcade Publishing. ISBN1-55970-214-1. OCLC33022699.

Vegetable
[7] Online Etymology Dictionary (http:/ / www. etymonline. com/ index. php?search=vegetable). Retrieved 2009-11-25. [8] Full text of the opinion in Nix v. Hedden courtesy of Findlaw.com. (http:/ / caselaw. lp. findlaw. com/ scripts/ getcase. pl?court=US& vol=149& invol=304) [9] Woodruff, Sandra L. (1995). Secrets of Fat-Free Cooking : Over 150 Fat-Free and Low-Fat Recipes from Breakfast to Dinner-Appetizers to Desserts. Garden City Park, N.Y: Avery Publishing Group. ISBN0-89529-668-3. OCLC33142807. [10] Whitaker, Julian M. (2001). Reversing Diabetes. New York: Warner Books. ISBN0-446-67658-6. OCLC45058465. [11] Gruda, N (2005). "Impact of Environmental Factors on Product Quality of Greenhouse Vegetables for Fresh Consumption". Crit. Rev. Plant Sci. 24(3): Taylor & Francis Group. pp.227247. [12] Steinmetz KA, Potter JD (1996). "Vegetables, fruit, and cancer prevention: a review". J Am Diet Assoc 96 (10): 102739. doi:10.1016/S0002-8223(96)00273-8. PMID8841165. [13] ScienceDirect - Food Chemistry : Balance between nutrients and anti-nutrients in nine Italian potato cultivars (http:/ / www. sciencedirect. com/ science?_ob=ArticleURL& _udi=B6T6R-4HC6M43-2& _user=10& _rdoc=1& _fmt=& _orig=search& _sort=d& _docanchor=& view=c& _acct=C000050221& _version=1& _urlVersion=0& _userid=10& md5=d3ccd0379f35af56c40b194d580f75c4) [14] Bad Bug Bock > BBB Clostridium botulinum (http:/ / www. fda. gov/ food/ foodsafety/ foodborneillness/ foodborneillnessfoodbornepathogensnaturaltoxins/ badbugbook/ ucm070000. htm) [15] USDA. Why is it important to eat vegetables? (http:/ / www. mypyramid. gov/ pyramid/ vegetables_why. html). MyPyramid. Last updated 2011-02-09. [16] Food Safety Basics for Fruits and Vegetables (http:/ / www. fruitsandveggiesmatter. gov/ health_professionals/ food_safety. html) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [17] Pawanexh Kohli (2008), Why Cold Chain for Vegetables in Fruits and Vegetables Post-Harvest Care: The Basics (http:/ / crosstree. info/ Documents/ Care of F n V. pdf). Crosstree Techno-visors [18] "67.080: Fruits. Vegetables" (http:/ / www. iso. org/ iso/ iso_catalogue/ catalogue_ics/ catalogue_ics_browse. htm?ICS1=67& ICS2=80). International Organization for Standardization. . Retrieved 2009-04-23.

Further reading
Munro, Derek B., Small, E. 1997 Vegetables of Canada. (http://pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/books/books/ 9780660195032.html) NRC Research Press, Ottawa ISBN 978-0-660-19503-2

External links
Photo ID of Vegetables (http://crosstree.info/Documents/Veggies ID.pdf) by Capt. Pawanexh Kohli UC Vegetable & Research Information Center (http://vric.ucdavis.edu/) Michigan Vegetable Information Network (http://web4.msue.msu.edu/veginfo) Fruits and Vegetables - Your Reference to Fruits and Vegetables, Veg Recipes, Healthy Diet, Healthy Life and Food Tips, Storage Information, Suppliers Directory. (http://www.fruitsnvegetables.com/)

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Vegetable Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=420437804 Contributors: (jarbarf), 1297, 130.94.122.xxx, 4twenty42o, A455bcd9, A8UDI, Abce2, Acr01, Adeliine, AdjustShift, AgentPeppermint, Agnosticaphid, Agricmarketing, Agrofe, Ahilleas bob, Ahoerstemeier, Aitias, Aj00200, Aksi great, Al Silonov, Alan Liefting, Alansohn, Albino Fox, Alcoved id, Aliuheels, Amykcamykc, Anaxial, Andre Engels, Andre7775, Andrew Kelly, Andrewpmk, Andrewrp, Angela C, Angpoo, Animum, Annalise, Anneyh, Antandrus, Anthere, Antonio Lopez, Anupam, Anwar saadat, Arakunem, ArglebargleIV, ArielGold, Armymomshanks, Artemis Kuiper, Arthana, Askewchan, Asstotheton, Atif.t2, Avono, AznBurger, Barefootguru, Barek, Bart133, Baseball Watcher, Beano, Behone, Belegur, Berean Hunter, Bigbumkaka, Bigrafo, Bjankuloski06en, Bluelion, Bobo192, Bongwarrior, Bork, BrainiacBran, Brbspx, Brian0918, Brianga, Brianhorne, Brightwinds, Bubba hotep, Burschik, Byron Vickers, C.Fred, Cal75, Calor, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, CanadianLinuxUser, Chachachachhh, Cheesygorrila, Chris 73, Christian List, Christopher140691, Chun-hian, Cite needed, Claire jolley, Clasqm, Cmichael, Cnilep, Cody689, CoheedAC, Colonies Chris, CommonsDelinker, CompRhetoric, ConCompS, Cooladoola, Corvus cornix, Cottoncandydogs, Courcelles, Crickcookie77, Cubs Fan, Curps, Cursitor, D, DARTH SIDIOUS 2, Dabomb87, Dachande, Dane 1981, Danno uk, Dar-Ape, Dawn Bard, Dbfirs, Delldot, DenisePro, Deror avi, Discospinster, Dnique8504, Doc9871, Dolive21, Donarreiskoffer, Dorfan, Downyourpants, Doyleb23, DragonflySixtyseven, Dreadstar, Duncanogi, Dysepsion, E0steven, EEPROM Eagle, EOZyo, ERcheck, Egendomligt, Elassint, Elerium, Ellenois, Ellmist, Emerson7, Emersoni, Emhoo, Emijrp, Enuja, Enviroboy, Epbr123, ErgoSum88, Erianna, Eric Wester, Eric-Wester, Eric444, Eu.stefan, Eurleif, Evercat, Everjung, Evrim98, Excirial, Exert, Exitmoose, Extreme Unction, Fartbigbum111, Femto, Fetchcomms, Finnicks, Fir0002, Fishal, Flacyclist, Formedlahoo, Francebaby, Fratrep, Freddyape, FreplySpang, Funandtrvl, GTBacchus, Gabbe, Geniuskid5y=8x, Gentgeen, Getplanting, Giftlite, Gilabrand, Gilliam, Gioto, GiulioCespuglio, GizmoIsAGoldenGod, Gman124, Gnowor, Gnt, Gobonobo, Gogglemaster, Golbez, Goofball65, Goooogler, GorillaWarfare, Goteamsats, Gpics, GraemeL, Grafen, Grantmidnight, Grayshi, Greenrd, Greswik, Grimreaper, Gurch, Gwernol, Hajatvrc, HeikoEvermann, Hoot, Hopefully acceptable username, Hq3473, Hydrogen Iodide, IRP, Ike9898, Imanfan, ImperatorExercitus, Infrogmation, Innoc3nce, Insanity Incarnate, Invertzoo, Ioscius, Iridescent, IronGargoyle, Ishyevrim23, Ixfd64, J.delanoy, JEB90, JForget, JNW, James086, Jamroc16, Jaranda, Jaredroberts, Jauhienij, JavierMC, Jclemens, Jcvamp, Jeffrey Mall, Jelloman1234, Jesusfreakkeller, Jiddisch, Jimp, Jlao04, Jmauser, Jncro, JoJan, JoanneB, Joeyramoney, Jonlouis, Jorge Stolfi, Joyous!, Jrduck90, Juliancolton, Jusdafax, Jusjih, Jyleichman, KGasso, Kataiklaeya, Katherine, Kcdtsg, Keilana, Kettleys, Kewlgurl226, Khalid Mahmood, Khukri, Kipala, Kleinhev, Knorrepoes, KnowledgeOfSelf, Konstable, Kotra, Krazykory14, Kriskov, Ksoth, Kubigula, Kuru, Kutulu, LAX, LFaraone, LOL, LWF, La Pianista, Larry V, Law, Lcarscad, LeaveSleaves, LeeG, Leszek Jaczuk, Leuko, LevelCheck, Lgourd, LiftedRoom, Lights, Likethewatch, Lincher, Lkephart, Lokara, Lousyd, Lquilter, Luk, MER-C, MONGO, Magnus Manske, Mahak library, Mairi, Majorclanger, Maksim L., Malcolm Farmer, Malinaccier, Man vyi, Marek69, Mark T, MarkS, Marshman, Martainsearlyclass, Martin451, Materialscientist, Matt Deres, Mattbrundage, MattieTK, Mav, McGeddon, McMarcoP, Mcwhite4, Mediocredave, Meggar, Melicans, Mentifisto, Meteorswarm, Meursault2004, Michal Nebyla, Mikael Hggstrm, Mikaile676, Mike Rosoft, Mikebrand, Mikeesharp, Mikenorton, Mikeo, Miss Madeline, Mjh0829, Mlavannis, Modulatum, MoeGirl4455, Mommyman, Monkey man1234321, Montrealais, Moochocoogle, Moonriddengirl, Mpulier, Mr. thing, MrScience999, Msayyed75, Mumia-w-18, Mychemicalbrendon113, Mygerardromance, Mznice, Nadiatalent, Nakon, Natanator, NawlinWiki, NeilN, NerdyScienceDude, Neverquick, Nevit, NewEnglandYankee, Nickptar, Nightkey, Ninjatacoshell, Nisham99, Noctibus, Noisy, Numbo3, OMGILOVEWALRUSES, Olivier200, Omicronpersei8, Owen, Ownlyanangel, Oxymoron83, P. 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Image:The farmer's market near the Potala in Lhasa.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:The_farmer's_market_near_the_Potala_in_Lhasa.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 Contributors: Nathan Freitas Image:2004fruit & vegetable.PNG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:2004fruit_&_vegetable.PNG License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:Anwar saadat Image:Lgumes 01.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Lgumes_01.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: User:Arnaud 25 File:MelonYard.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:MelonYard.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: http://www.wyrdlight.com Author: Antony McCallum Image:Botanical Fruit and Culinary Vegetables.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Botanical_Fruit_and_Culinary_Vegetables.png License: Public Domain Contributors: User:I have an account. Happy now? File:456px-Celery Leaf rot crop.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:456px-Celery_Leaf_rot_crop.JPG License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:Jorge Stolfi Image:Stir Fry.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Stir_Fry.JPG License: Public Domain Contributors: David Image:GntVegCart.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:GntVegCart.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.5 Contributors: Gpics at en.wikipedia File:Chholay.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chholay.JPG License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:Khalid Mahmood File:Hrushikesh_kulkarni_vegetables.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hrushikesh_kulkarni_vegetables.JPG License: Public Domain Contributors: User:Hrushi3030

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