Vegetable facts for kids
A vegetable is any eatable part of a plant that does not have seeds. For example, lettuce leaves are vegetables, because they do not have seeds. Carrots and potatoes are parts of the root systems of the plants, but since they have no seeds and are eaten by humans, they are vegetables. They are not in the same category as a fruit, nut, herb, spice, or grain. Though tomatoes are often thought of as vegetables,but because they have seeds, they are actually fruits. Vegetables are an important part of people's diet, (what they eat every day). Vegetables and fruits are sometimes called produce. Vegetables have vitamins A, B, C, D, minerals and carbohydrates.
Other meanings
The word "vegetable" can also be used to mean plants in general, such as when people say "Animal, Vegetable, or Mineral."
However, in an Asian context, 'vegetable' may mean any plant produce, apart from grain and nuts, that is consumed cooked, while only the fruits consumed raw are considered as 'fruits'. For example, an artichoke is therefore considered a vegetable, while a melon qualifies as a fruit.
Common vegetables
Cabbages
See List of vegetables for longer list.
Vegetables in a market in the Philippines
Domestic vegetable garden in London
A Venn diagram shows the overlap in the terminology of "vegetables" in a culinary sense and "fruits" in the botanical sense.
Southeast Asian style stir fry ipomoea aquatica in chili and sambal
Growing vegetables in South Africa
Weeding cabbages in Colorado, US
Harvesting beetroot in the United Kingdom
Temporary storage of potatoes in the Netherlands
Bean field and canning factory, New Jersey, US
Sun-drying tomatoes in Greece
Farmers' market showing vegetables for sale near the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet
Vegetables in a supermarket in the United States