In popular culture, we often distinguish between fruits and vegetables based on their culinary use and taste. However, from a botanical point of view, the classification can be surprising and cause a lot of confusion, especially with foods like pumpkin. Is pumpkin really a fruit or a vegetable? We know that there are foods that many consumers consider vegetables, such as tomatoes or cucumbers, but botanically they are classified as fruits. In this article, we will delve into the classification of pumpkin, reveal whether it is a fruit or a vegetable, and explore in detail its properties and other curious facts about this versatile vegetable.
Differences between fruit and vegetables
The distinction between what we consider fruit or vegetables is not always clear-cut. Culturally, we associate fruit with its sweet taste, while we reserve the term vegetable for foods with more neutral or salty flavors. However, from a food perspective, botanicalA fruit is the mature ovary of a plant that usually contains seeds, and this development occurs from the flower of the plant after pollination. On the other hand, vegetables include other edible parts of the plant: roots, leaves or stems.
For example, although tomatoes are treated as vegetables in cooking, they are scientifically a fruit. This is also true of foods such as cucumbers and squash. If a food contains seeds and develops from the flower of a plant, it will be botanically classified as a fruit. Although popular culture labels them as vegetables because of their use in recipes, science recognizes them as fruits.
This brings us to the pumpkin, which It meets all the criteria to be considered a fruit from a botanical point of view. since it contains seeds and develops from the flower of the plant. Throughout this article we will see how this classification applies not only to pumpkin, but also to other foods used daily in the kitchen.
Pumpkin fruit or vegetable?
La pumpkin It is part of the family of Cucurbitaceae (Cucurbitaceae), a family that includes other well-known fruits such as cucumber, melon, and watermelon. A common characteristic among these plants is that they develop fruit from the flower and contain seeds, which scientifically classifies them as fruits. Although many people associate pumpkin with savory recipes, it is also widely used in sweet preparations, such as pumpkin pie, and its slightly sweet flavor allows for its versatility in both savory dishes and desserts.
As for its health benefits, pumpkin is a food rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C and dietary fiber, which makes it an excellent ally for the skin and the digestive system. It also contains minerals such as potassium, magnesium and modest amounts of iron. It is known for its antioxidant properties and is an excellent food for maintaining eye health and improving the functioning of the immune system.
Other confusions in fruits and vegetables
Tomatoes: fruit or vegetable?
The tomato is one of the best examples of foods that generate debate about their classification. Although we treat it as a vegetable in the kitchen, the tomato is a fruit from a botanical point of view, since it develops from the flower of the plant and contains seeds. Its use in sauces and salads is one of the main reasons why we culturally associate it with salty food, but its scientific classification does not vary.
In fact in 1893 The US Supreme Court ruled that although the tomato was botanically a fruit, it should be classified as a vegetable for tax purposes. This case reinforces the lack of coherence between scientific classification and cultural use.
In addition to being a fruit, the tomato is especially appreciated for its vitamin content. lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that protects against cell damage and has heart health benefits.
Eggplant
Like the tomato, the eggplant It belongs to the Solanaceae family and, although its bitter taste and texture make it look like a vegetable, it is also a fruit from a botanical point of view.
Eggplant is rich in antioxidants and low in calories, making it an excellent choice for those on low-calorie diets. In addition, its water content makes it especially suitable for maintaining a balanced and nutrient-rich diet. Eggplant is very versatile in the kitchen, whether roasted, in stews or used in recipes such as moussaka.
Avocado
El avocado Avocado also falls into this botanical category of fruits, although its high fat content makes it different from most of the fruits we usually eat. Avocado is an excellent source of healthy fats, mainly oleic acid, which promotes cardiovascular health, and its creamy texture makes it ideal for multiple recipes, both sweet and savory.
It is a key ingredient in well-known dishes such as guacamole, but it is also used in salads, smoothies and desserts. It is also a nutritionally dense food, with benefits for the skin, heart and immune system thanks to its high content of vitamins and minerals such as potassium.
Zucchini
El zucchini It is another fruit that is often treated as a vegetable in the kitchen. Like pumpkin, it belongs to the cucurbitaceae family, and its subtle flavor and high water content make it an ideal ingredient for light and fresh recipes.
Zucchini is low in calories and provides fiber, vitamins and antioxidants that help strengthen the immune system and aid digestion. It can be eaten raw in salads or cooked in soups, creams, and dishes such as gratins or the popular 'zoodles' (zucchini spaghetti).
Peppers
The peppersBoth sweet and spicy, are also botanically fruits. Their seed content and development from the flower place them in this category. However, their strong flavour and use in a wide variety of savoury recipes makes them easily pass as vegetables in popular cuisine.
Peppers are a rich source of vitamin C, and in some varieties such as red peppers, this amount is even higher than that of citrus fruits. They are an essential ingredient in many cuisines around the world and are used both as a base for sauces and to accompany stews, salads or as a garnish.
Cucumbers
El cucumber This is another common confusion. Botanically it is a fruit, and it also belongs to the cucurbitaceae family, like pumpkin and melon, but in cooking it is used almost exclusively as a vegetable, especially in salads or refreshing recipes.
With 97% water, cucumber is an ideal choice for staying hydrated, especially during hot days. It also provides fiber and small amounts of vitamin C, making it a perfect food for low-calorie diets.
Green beans
The green beans They are also technically fruits, as they contain seeds and develop from the flower of the plant. However, like other foods we have discussed, they are treated as vegetables in the kitchen, and are therefore commonly used as a garnish or main ingredient in savoury recipes.
Rich in fiber and low in calories, green beans are an excellent option to maintain a balanced and healthy diet.
As you can see, the distinction between fruits and vegetables is not as clear-cut as it might seem. By studying the botany behind each food, we can discover that several foods that we culturally consider vegetables are actually fruits. With this information, we can not only learn more about our daily meals, but also enjoy them in a more complete and conscious way.