Fruits vs. Vegetables
Now that we have our plant parts down, we can tackle the age-old question: Is it a fruit, or a vegetable?
For instance, have you ever heard that a tomato is actually a fruit? Well, it is! There are other "vegetables" that are actually fruit too:
For instance, have you ever heard that a tomato is actually a fruit? Well, it is! There are other "vegetables" that are actually fruit too:
cucumber
green pepper
squash
green pepper
squash
Remember, a fruit is ANYTHING that covers the seeds. So if it has seeds INSIDE it (apple, peach, cucumber), then it is a fruit.
"Then what is a vegetable??" you might ask. Anything that is a different plant part, like stem, leaves, or roots, is a vegetable. Check out this chart:
"Then what is a vegetable??" you might ask. Anything that is a different plant part, like stem, leaves, or roots, is a vegetable. Check out this chart:
So, why does everyone think tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and pea pods are vegetables? Here is the source of the confusion. In cooking, the definition of vegetable is something used in the main meal for more savory dishes. A fruit, on the other hand, is something used in the desert that has a sweet taste.
So now you know! Next time someone says that a cucumber or tomato is a vegetable, you can tell then, "Actually yes, cooks say that is a vegetable because it is not sweet, however scientists say that cucumbers and tomatoes are fruits because they have seeds inside of them!
So now you know! Next time someone says that a cucumber or tomato is a vegetable, you can tell then, "Actually yes, cooks say that is a vegetable because it is not sweet, however scientists say that cucumbers and tomatoes are fruits because they have seeds inside of them!