Did you know that these 10 foods are actually fruits?
Many people often mistake certain foods for vegetables, but in fact, they are fruits. Understanding the difference between fruits and vegetables can sometimes be tricky. In botanical terms, a fruit is the mature ovary of a flowering plant, usually containing seeds.
Like tomatoes, cucumbers are often treated as vegetables, especially in salads and pickles. However, cucumbers grow from the flowering part of the plant and contain seeds, which places them firmly in the fruit category.
Bell peppers, hot peppers, and other varieties are another example of fruits masquerading as vegetables. They come from the flowering part of the plant and contain seeds, which makes them fruits by definition. Peppers are often used in savory dishes but are botanically fruits due to their seed content.
While they are commonly associated with savory dishes, guacamole, and salads, avocados are actually fruits. They belong to the berry family and contain a large seed, which is the defining characteristic of fruits.
Zucchini, like cucumbers, is often used in savory recipes and is treated as a vegetable. However, zucchini is a fruit because it develops from the flower of the plant and contains seeds.
Pumpkins, often thought of as a vegetable, are technically fruits. They belong to the gourd family and contain numerous seeds inside, which makes them a fruit. Pumpkins are commonly used in both sweet and savory dishes, including pies, soups, and casseroles.
Similar to pumpkins, squash is another gourd that is typically treated as a vegetable but is, in fact, a fruit. Whether it’s butternut squash, acorn squash, or spaghetti squash, these foods grow from the flower of the plant and contain seeds, categorizing them as fruits.
Eggplants, also known as aubergines, are often used in savory dishes like stews and curries, which is why many people think of them as vegetables. However, eggplants develop from the flowering part of the plant and have seeds inside, making them fruits.