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Everyone knows that a sprinkle of fresh herbs turns that ordinary family dinner into something extraordinary. But did you know that fresh herbs have a high antioxidant activity? According to a US Department of Agriculture study, fresh herbs, in particular oregano, beat out fruits, vegetables, and even garlic! (more…)
Did you know that carrots are not originally orange? That’s right. The original carrot, which dates back more than 4.000 years to Afghanistan, was purple. The orange carrot didn’t come into being until about 400 years ago, when Dutch farmers bred the carrot to be orange – their country’s color. Today, carrots have been bred in a rainbow of colors, which makes them much more fun to eat, not to mention, more nutritious. (more…)
Corn, also known as “maize”, is one of the most important cereal crops grown around the world. Farmers differentiate “sweet” corn – varieties grown as food – from other varieties used for animal feed, industrial use, or products like flour, corn syrup, and popcorn. Corn was originally domesticated starting around 9000 years ago in south-central Mexico, with early farmers selecting favorable traits from the wild teosinte plant. By the time of European colonization in the 15th century, corn had spread across the Americas and become a major food source for the indigenous population. (more…)
Leeks, known scientifically as Allium porrum, are related to garlic, onions, shallots, and scallions. Leeks look like large scallions, having a very small bulb and a long white cylindrical stalk of tightly wrapped, layered leaves. With a more delicate and sweeter flavor than onions, leeks add a subtle touch to recipes without overpowering the other flavors that are present. (more…)
The tomato, like the eggplant, is a member of the Solanaceae, or Nightshade family. Tomatoes are native to western South America, but were cultivated in Mexico by Mexican Indians, who were intrigued by its resemblance to the tomatillo – a staple in their cuisine. With the discovery of the New World, tomato seeds were brought back to Spain, beginning the introduction of the fruit into Europe. Tomatoes made their way to North America with the colonists who first settled in Virginia. (more…)
Bell peppers belong to the nightshade (Solanaceae) family of plants, along with chili pepper, cayenne pepper, eggplant, tomatoes and potatoes (except sweet potatoes and yams). Their scientific name is Capsicum annuum. This scientific name, however, is used to refer not only to bell peppers, but also to wax peppers, cayenne peppers, chili peppers, and jalapeño peppers. (more…)
Beets are filled with good things. High in fiber, vitamins A and C, and surprisingly, more iron than most other vegetables, including spinach! They also contain calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and folic acid. The pigments that give beets their signature coloring are strong antioxidants. (more…)
Cabbage is a leafy green or purple biennial plant, grown as an annual vegetable crop for its dense-leaved heads. Closely related to other cole crops, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. Smooth-leafed firm-headed green cabbages are the most common, with smooth-leafed red and crinkle-leafed savoy cabbages of both colors seen less frequently. The cabbage heads are generally picked during the first year of the plants’ life cycles, but those intended for seed are allowed to grow a second year. (more…)
Cauliflower is a highly modified form of cabbage in the mustard family (Brassicaceae), grown for its edible masses of partially developed flower structures and fleshy stalks. alongside its well-known counterparts of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, and radishes. (more…)
Green beans, also known as snap beans because they “snap” when broken, are harvested when young, when the beans inside the pod are small and tender and the pods are thin. They are very low in calories and loaded with vitamins K, A, and C, fiber, folate and anti-oxidants. Interestingly, green beans were originally cultivated in Peru and were then spread throughout Central and South America by Indian tribes. Spanish explorers brought them back from the “New World” to Europe in the 16th century, and from there they spread around the world. (more…)