Although it might come as something of a surprise, if you count both wild varieties and cultivars that have been developed by man there over 1,000 types of pecans currently in existence, and more are being worked on by horticulturists even as you read these words. Botanically, the pecan tree (Carya illinoinensis) is a member … Read more
For many people, nothing announces the advent of summer more cheerfully than the appearance of fresh strawberries in their local market or garden. One of the most well-loved and versatile fruits out there, strawberries are a favorite throughout the planet and are an economically important plant in many parts of the world. Including both wild … Read more
Basil is one of the most commonly used culinary herbs on earth, and most of us are familiar with it due to its use in popular recipes such as Italian pesto. However, throughout its long history with mankind, fresh basil has been used (and in some cases is still used) in a wide variety of … Read more
Mushrooms – or at the very least something very close to mushrooms – are believed to have existed on the earth long before even the dinosaurs evolved. Some paleontologists believe that, at one time, relatives of today’s mushrooms might have been the largest living things on planet. Though somewhat unappetizing-sounding, mushrooms are botanically classified as … Read more
While it has been a popular fruit for decades – primarily as the basic component in guacamole and other dips – the avocado has undergone a surge of popularity in recent years; so much so that there are actual avocado shortages from time to time. Its relatively recent designation (at least for marketing purposes) as … Read more
When most people in the United States – and some other parts of the world – think of a tomato, the picture that first comes to mind is of a large, red, succulent, round vegetable. In actuality, however, tomatoes come in a very diverse assortment of shapes, sizes, and colors – including white, yellow, orange, … Read more
While not a particularly important crop commercially or economically in most parts of the world (and certainly nowhere near as widely cultivated as bulb or ‘standard’ onions), green onions are grown on every continent with the exception of Antarctica, and are a favorite component of many and varied cuisines. They are most widely used in … Read more
It is really pretty hard to find a vegetable that is more versatile than the potato. Potatoes can be baked, boiled, mashed, fried, roasted, steamed, broiled, grilled, sautéed; they can be served whole, cubed, sliced, julienned (or cut into strips), stuffed; they can be made into salads, French fries, home fries, chips, puffs, and sticks. … Read more
Unless you are a dedicated home gardener or horticulturist, the odds are pretty good that you don’t think a great deal about cucumbers. You see them pretty much year round in the produce section of the market, slice them for use in salads or maybe eat them raw as a snack or with dips, and … Read more
Believe it or not, there are over 1,000 known types of sweet potatoes in the world and that’s not even counting the different types of yams – with which the sweet potato is often confused, but which is, in reality, a completely different plant. There are over 100 varieties grown in the United States alone, … Read more