alfalfa sprouts |
The alfalfa plant probably originated in the Near East. It came to the Eastern United States with the early colonists and to the Western United States via Chilean gold seekers at the time of the... more |
anise |
Early Romans cultivated anise so extensively that it was served with virtually all meat dishes in those times. more |
apples |
Apples are the second most important of all fruits sold in the supermarket, ranking next to bananas.
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apricots |
Apricots are known as, "Moons of the Faithful" in China where they originated. Their cultivation spread westward from China to Persia and the Mediterranean, eventually coming to the New World with... more |
artichokes |
An artichoke is Actually a thistle and a member of the sunflower family. The artichoke itself is a flower bud or immature flower head. The tender bases of the petals and the fleshy heart to which the... more |
asparagus |
Today's asparagus has been bred from wild plants that were native to western and central Asia and central Europe. Asparagus has always been considered a luxury vegetable, highly prized in ancient... more |
avocados |
Avocados date back to 8,000 B.C., and are native to Mexico and Central America.
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bananas |
Bananas don't grow on trees, as is commonly believed. They grow on compacted, water-filled leaf stalks that grow up to 25 feet high. They are the world's largest herb. (Source: The Packer, 9/9/89)
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basil |
The name basil comes from the Greek, meaning "kingly". The herb itself originates in India, where is has long been considered sacred. more |
broccoflower |
This vegetable is more cauliflower than broccoli. Green cauliflower is a genetic cross that combines the physical features of cauliflower with the chlorophyll of broccoli. It has a lime-green head and... more |
broccoli |
Broccoli, a member of the mustard family, was known to early colonists who brought it from Europe where it originated in the wild form around the Mediterranean. more |
brussel sprouts |
Brussels sprouts, a member of the mustard family, are native to Europe.
Brussels sprouts were cultivated and developed primarily by the French and the Belgians who provided the name.
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cabbage |
Cabbages were among the first plants to be cultivated. Northern Europe was the starting point for wild cabbage, originally loose leafed like collards.
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carrots |
Carrots belong to the parsley family. They originated in Afghanistan, cultivated originally for medicinal purposes utilizing the seeds which are produced in the second year of this biennial plant.... more |
cauliflower |
Cauliflower is a member of the cabbage group in the mustard family of plants.
Mark Twain described cauliflower as "cabbage with a college education." more |
celery |
Originally a bitter, wild marsh plant ranging from Sweden south throughout Europe, celery was used over centuries for medicinal purposes "to purify the blood."
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cherimoya |
Cherimoya trees originated in the South American Andes and are now grown successfully in this country, usually requiring elevations between 3,000 and 7,000 feet above sea level.
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cherries |
Bing is the leading variety, developed first in Oregon by a pioneer grower, just over 100 years ago, who named it for one of his Chinese workmen. more |
coconut |
- To crack coconuts, pierce on or two of the eyes and drain the milk.
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corn |
Maize is the proper word for corn, taken from the Indians of the New World who introduced it to European explorers and settlers. The word corn goes back to Biblical days, and means any particle of... more |
cranberries |
Cranberry sauce was an invention of American Indians who cooked cranberries with honey or maple sugar, to eat with their meat. The plant is native to peat and bog areas of northern latitudes around... more |
cucumber |
The cucumber is an immigrant from southern Asia, coming in a fantastic assortment of sizes, colors and shapes.
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eggplant |
Originally an Oriental ornamental plant, eggplant got its name from yellow and white fruited varieties with egg-sized fruits.
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endive |
A salad plant cultivated from wild forms found in Europe, Asia and North America, endive and chicory come in many varieties and are often confused botanically.
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garlic |
Garlic is a pungent member of the onion family. From its beginnings in Central Asia, garlic has been cultivated for 6,000 years. Although wild garlic grows in North America, the cultivated varieties... more |
ginger root |
This tropical tuber, which first came from Malabar and Bengal, India, now is grown in many areas, including Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Fiji Islands which supply the mainland U.S. market. more |
grapefruit |
The principal ancestor of this subtropical evergreen was called pomelo, brought by a captain Shaddock to Barbados from the Malay Archipelago. The pomelo fruit, borne in clusters that gave rise to the... more |
grapes |
For a delicious summertime treat, spread individual grapes on a pan and freeze. Transfer to a freezer box to have available for kids to eat as a frosty snack ~ like little popsicles.
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kumquat |
This miniature citrus fruit has been cultivated for centuries in China and Japan, but was introduced into Europe only about 150 years ago. The word comes from Cantonese, meaning, "golden orange," and... more |
lemon |
The word lemon is believed to have been derived from Asian language words meaning, "sour" or "sour fruit."
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mushrooms |
To clean mushrooms, wipe them with a damp cloth or soft vegetable brush. Because of their porous nature, mushrooms should not be washed in water, as they will absorb water like a sponge, losing... more |
pears |
Pears are cousins of apples. American varieties come from Europe, where they migrated from central Asia. Early colonists brought the first trees to America where they thrived until blights became... more |
plums |
Although plums are native to Asia, Europe and America, most U. S. production is in the Japanese varieties which are red and yellow (European varieties are blue and purple).
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squash |
The Massachusett Indian word for "eaten raw" is "Askutasquash." An important Indian food, few white men shared the desire to eat squash raw, until the past few years when raw summer squash types began... more |
strawberries |
Ancestors of the strawberry were discovered in the 18th Century by French explorers in Chile. The plump, red berries were cultivated by the Indians in South America. The explorers brought several... more |
tomatoes |
This vegetable is actually a berry, and is thought to have come first from the Andes mountains, and the present name is close to the Indian name. It belongs to the nightshade family, along with... more |