Vegetables

The giant elephant ear, is a large perennial plant native to Southeast Asia. The corms and leaf stalks are consumed as vegetables, but it is mainly grown as an ornamental plant in gardens.

Daikon is a large white type of radish, which originates from East and Southeast Asia. As a root vegetable it is used in Chinese, Japanese and Thai recipes. In North America it is grown as a fallow crop and the leaves can be used as animal fodder.

Jerusalem artichoke is related to the sunflower. It originates from eastern North America and is grown in temperate climates for its tubers which are used as a root vegetable.

Cabbage tree is a tree in the Moringa genus. Its leaves are edible and seeds can be used to purify water. Cabbage tree is native to Kenya and Ethiopia.

The Bitter bean or stink bean is tree of which the beans are used in Indonesian dishes. The big, flat beans are inside long, often twisted pods.

Stink beans are also used in several other South East Asian countries (Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, southern Thailand, Burma) and in north-eastern India. They have a strong smell and give a special aroma to the food in which they are used.

Artichoke is a thistle which is grown for the edible parts of the immature flowers.

Cardoon is the same species as artichoke, but it is a wild variety. The stems are eaten as a vegetable.

The immature green pods are eaten as a vegetable. They are called “drumstick”. Also the leaves are edible and sold as vegetables.

Tossa jute (Corchorus olitorius) is a tropical annual plant that is cultivated as a fiber crop or as a leaf vegetable.

The related White jute (Corchorus capsularis) is also a fiber crop.

Jicama is a vine with edible tuberous root which can be eaten raw. After peeling the skin the tuberous roots look a bit like potato and have a watery but fresh taste.

The seeds of the plant are toxic as they contain rotenone, which is a pesticide used to kill insects and fish.

White goosefoot is usually considered a weed but it is cultivated in some regions and used as a leaf vegetable. It is sometimes called pigweed, which is confusing as that name is also used for Common purslane and for Amaranthus spp.

Green amaranth is a species of vegetable in the Amaranth family (Amaranthaceae). The leaves are edible.

Winter purslane is a small annual plant which originates from North America and which is used as a leaf vegetable. It is sometimes called Miner's lettuce because during the California Gold Rush miners used to eat it as a source of vitamin C.

Mustard greens is a type of mustard plant (in the cabbage family) of which the leaves, seeds and stem are edible. The leaves have a pungent taste and are used as greens. Seeds are used to produce mustard oil.

Horseradish is grown for its root. The roots have not much aroma until they are cut or grated. Then because of certain enzymes, a chemical is produced which has a very pungent effect, similar to wasabi. After exposure to air it soon loses its pungency.

Celery is a widely used vegetable. it is usually grown for its crisp leaf stalks. The leaves have a strong flavor and are used to flavor soups and stews, or as a dried herb.

The groundnut, or peanut, is not a nut, but a legume. It belongs to the 'bean' family.

Groundnuts originate from South America and were already cultivated in Peru thousands of years ago.

The flowers self-pollinate and then the stalk at the base of the ovary elongates and grows downward to bury the fruits in the ground. This explains their name.

Leek is a vegetable that is a close relative of onion, garlic, elephant garlic and kurrat. The 'stem' or 'stalk' of leek is actually a bundle of leaf sheaths, which makes it a leaf vegetable.

Snake gourd is a tropical or subtropical vine, which is cultivated for its fruit. The fruit, which resembles a snake, is used as a vegetable.

Other names for snake gourd include serpent gourd, chichinga and padwal. The snake gourd is a common vegetable in south and south east Asia.

Several plants in the Araceae family are called Taro. Their corms are used as vegetables. Colocasia esculenta is the most widely cultivated type of Taro.

The genus Lagenaria includes several species, such as the calabash (Lagenaria siceraria). Fruits of Lagenaria are either used as vegetables, when harvested young, or as utensils (bottles) when harvested mature. The name 'bottle gourd' is also used for some other crops.

Zucchini are usually grown for their fruits which, usually cooked, are eaten as a vegetable. But also zucchini flowers are edible and may be used as garnish.

Pisum sativum var. saccharatum is a variety of the pea (Pisum sativum) where the entire pod can be eaten.

Pigeon pea is a legume which can grow in any warm climate and is mostly found in tropical regions. It originates from India where it probably has been cultivated for over 3500 years. Nowadays it is common in many countries with a suitable climate including East Africa and the Caribbean islands.

Sweet potato originates from North and South America, but its highest production is in China.

Sweet potato is usually grown for the sweet tasting tuberous roots. The young leaves and shoots are sometimes used as a leaf vegetable.

Brussels sprouts is a cole crop which is cultivated for the small, leafy green buds, which look like miniature cabbages.

Sago is a starch extracted from the stem of sago palm. It is eaten as a staple food in some countries (New Guinea, Moluccas).

The turnip or white turnip is a root vegetable. Some smaller varieties are grown for human consumption while others are used as fodder. The leaves are sometimes eaten as “turnip greens”.

Soybean is often processed into soybean meal and vegetable oil. It is used as a source of protein in many types of processed foods or as a fodder for farm animals.

Soybean is a crop which has been genetically modified.

Radish is a root vegetable in the cabbage family. It has its origin in Europe, but is now grown all over the world. There are many different varieties, which differ in shape length, color and size.

Cauliflower is closely related to cabbage, kale, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, which in fact belong to the same species. Cauliflower is one of the most popular vegetables.

The carrot originates from Afghanistan.

Carrots can be eaten raw (as a snack, or grated in salads) or they can be chopped and boiled, fried or steamed. Carrots are often used in soups and stews or they are used in baby foods.

Carrots are known for their high content of carotene (an orange pigment).

The fruits of the Bitter gourd (or Bitter melon) are eaten as a vegetable. As can be expected from the name, the bitter gourd has a very bitter taste.

Ash gourd (or wax gourd), is related to the cucumber. The large fuits are eaten as a vegetable.

Eggplant (or Aubergine) is closely related to tomato, potato and chili peppers. Originally a tropical crop, it is now also sometimes grown in (heated) greenhouses in cooler climates.