Vegetables

Bok Choy cultivation was first done in China. Bok choy is used in many dishes due to its crisp texture, sweet flavor and nutritional value. It is also known as white cabbage. The Chinese commonly call Bok Choy as Pak Choy meaning white vegetable. Bok Choy has leafy blades with succulent and translucent stalks that are white in colour. The entire p...

Snake beans are long and slender green pods with a sweet flavour and crunchy texture. Snake beans have a similar texture to that of green beans, but are slightly lighter green in colour. They are also known as yardlong beans, bora, long-podded cowpea, asparagus beans, pea beans or Chinese long beans.

Sorrel is a leafy green vegetable that is native to Europe. It has a sharp, lemony taste. It is a perennial herb also known as garden sorrel or common sorrel. Their color spectrum ranges from pale to dark green. They are arrow-headed somewhat like spinach leaves. They tend to taste more acidic as they mature. The strong flavored variety is called s...

Rocket leaves or popularly known as arugula or salad rocket is nutritious green-leafy vegetable. The young tender leaves carry a bitter peppery flavor that makes it mostly a salad vegetable.

Drum stick or horseradish tree is a tall slender plant grown for it greens, flowers and nutritious pods. It is a very commonly used vegetable in Indian household. The leaves are the most nutritious part of the plant. They are cooked and used like spinach. Drum stick leaves are dried and crushed into powder used in soups and sauces. The immature se...

Cherry tomatoes are a smaller variety of the garden tomatoes, which are comparatively sweeter than the larger fruits. They are relatively found in size of a thumb tip to the size of a golfball. These varieties of tomatoes are even juicier and hold many valuable nutrients. These tiny tomatoes are less acidic and carry a milder flavor. They are ...

Kaffir lime is a rough bumpy green citrus fruit originating from Southeast Asia. The leaves also feature in many recipes because of their aromatic properties. They have a curious figure of eight shape.

They belong to the banana family but are firmer and not consumed raw. Green or under ripe plantains are the ones used in cooking and is a staple food in many tropical areas. The are eaten steamed or fried and called the potatoes of the Caribbean due to similarity of flavor. Tip The peel is hard to remove unlike a banana and must be peeled of...

It is a white bulb taproot vegetable. Broad at the base, it points like a tail at the apex. The leaves and the root have a pungent bitterly taste, similar to raw cabbages and radishes. Turnips are available all year long, but are at their best in fall and spring, when they are small and sweet.

Shakarkandi or sweet potato is a starchy, sweet tasting root vegetable. Its leaves and shoots both are edible though the starchy tuberous roots are most commonly consumed. It can be baked at home as a snack or as a dessert. They are mostly consumed by boiling and adding dome dressing. Shakarkandi can also be used to make into a vegetable dish. They...

Small round gourd, also called baby pumpkin, is a vegetable grown for its immature fruit. Green colored and apple sized, it is a slightly sour fruit which can be eaten cooked, candied or pickled. Stuffed round gourds cooked with spices is also a favorite recipe. It is especially popular in South Asia. It is native to India and very popular all a...

A long vegetable with a dark green ridged skin and a white spongy flesh with soft seeds. It is prepared by removing the skin of the vegetable and then cooked. Ridge gourd is very prominent in Indian cooking. It is called as sponge gourd in Chinese cuisine. Usage Ridge gourds stuffed with spices can be made into a curry that is served...

These look like smaller versions of red capsicums or bell peppers. These are also called as cherry peppers. These are used to stuff green olives. It is basically a small sweet red pepper. Pimiento is a Spanish word that means pepper. It is usually 7-10 cms long and has a sweet flesh and aroma. However many pimiento are hot and spicy. Usually swe...

It is a bright and vibrant green leafy vegetable which is native to central and southwest Asia. It is said to have originated in Persia. It is sold loose, bunched, canned or frozen. Fresh spinach is preferred over canned spinach due to loss of nutrients. It is mostly used to make savory dishes consumed for main course. It is considered to be one of...

Onions are used as vegetables and are cultivated around the world. They have a pungent odour and in some communities onions are considered as an aphrodisiac. Cutting onions emit certain compounds which cause the glands in the eyes to become irritated, thus releasing tears. Usage Onions are available in yellow, red or purple and white color...

Mustard Leaves or mustard greens appears in Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, African, Pakistani and Indian cuisines. The most famous in the Indian peninsula is sarsoon da saag made using mustard greens. Mustard leaves is a popular winter vegetable. The are broad dark green leaves with a flat surface. Health Benefits You can never go wrong...

Mushrooms are fleshy, edible fungi that are a low-calorie food and a good source of Vitamin B. Shiitake, porcini and chanterelle are some types of mushrooms. The edibility of mushroom depends on the absence of poisonous effects on humans and the desirable taste and aroma. They are somewhat meaty in flavor and taste and are also a great source of Vi...

Radish is a root vegetable that was native to the Europeans. They are white in color and are mainly used in salads but can be cooked or steamed as well. It is mostly grown during the cool season and has a peppery taste. Some radishes are grown for their seeds and some for their oil. Types Broadly they are categorized into four types, summer, ...