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

The martini is a classic American cocktail with timeless popularity. Made with varying proportions of gin and dry vermouth, the martini is an alcoholic beverage with endless variations. Figures throughout history, both real and fictional, have been known to adopt martinis as their drink of choice. One of the most widely recognized examples of this … 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

For many people, the first sure sign that summer is finally on its way is the appearance of fresh peaches at their local market. Normally available throughout North American and Western Europe spring, summer and fall, peaches are one of those special foods that make you feel good when you eat them … just because. … Read more

Though you might not realize it, beets are one of the most commercially important plants in the world today. Literally, hundreds of millions of tons of beets are cultivated across the globe on a yearly basis, and their production is of paramount importance to the agricultural economies of a number of countries in different parts … Read more

Carrots have got quite a bit going for them. They are relatively easy to grow; they will thrive in a number of different types of climates; they are very healthy to eat; and they are one of the longest lasting vegetables out there. There are also a number of misconceptions about carrots that many people … Read more

Eggplant is a food that you probably either love or hate – for most people, there is no in between. The early history of eggplant’s cultivation and use by humans is somewhat murky. The plant is believed to have originated in India where it grew (and still grows) wild, and there is some evidence that … Read more