Fruits and Vegetables
Botanical Names for Vegetables Squash-Cucumbers, zucchini, butternut squash Roots and Tubers- Beets, Turnips, Carrots, Radishes Onion Family- Chive, Onion, Garlic, Shallots Stems/Stalks- Celery, Asparagus Seeds and Pods- Beans, Peas, Corn Cabbage-Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli Leafy Greens- Kale, Spinach, Lettuce Fruit-Vegetables- Tomato, Green Pepper, Avocado
Color of Vegetables Red- A, C, Thiamine, Iron, lycopene Green- A, B, Folate, Calcium, Lutein White- B, C, Potassium, Calcium, allicin (phytochemical) Yellow/Orange- A, B, C, Calcium, Beta- carotene
Vegetable Nutrients Carbohydrates Protein-incomplete from dried beans and peas. Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, Folate
Cooking Vegetables correctly cook it correctly so the vegetables will not loose their vitamins and minerals Keep them colorful to add to a meal
Vegetables change when they cook cellulose softens, becomes less crisp, nutrients dissolve, color, flavor Raw Cooked
Qualities to look for in Vegetables Crispness, color, firmness, soundness, absence of bruises and decay- bright color, not overripe
Using Vegetables To Enhance Meals Color, variety, flavor, texture, shape and form
Several Different methods to prepare vegetables Moist Heat Methods-Blanching, Steam, Poaching and braising Dry-Heat Methods-Broiling and Grilling, bake/Roasting, saute, stir-fry,
Botanical names for Fruit Pome- apple, pear, kiwi Drupe- peach, nectarine, apricot, cherry, plum Berries- raspberries, strawberries Grapes- Red, Green, Black varieties Citrus- grapefruit, lemon, orange, lime Melon- casaba, cantaloupe, watermelon Tropical- banana, mango, pineapple, Guava Exotic-pomegranate, star,
Guidelines for buying Fruit Buy: firm to the touch, the right color, well- shaped, heavy for size, aromatic and in good condition Avoid: too soft or hard, green or under ripe, damaged, bruised, decayed, mildewed or discolored
Why do some fruit turn brown after being cut Fruit that has low acid content, turns dark on exposure to the air. Fresh Not Fresh
Can you do anything to prevent fruit from turning brown? Will it effect the taste? Yes, sprinkle or lightly cover with ascorbic acid or citrus juice. No it will not effect the taste if used lightly
What nutrients are supplied by Fruit? Vitamins A, B, and C, potassium, folate, fiber, and carbohydrates.
Can you cook fruits if so how? Yes you can cook fruit. Simmering, stewing, poaching Baking, grilling, frying, saute
It is better to serve fruit in season Costs less, available, flavor better tasting