Fruit or vegetable? The debate over whether the tomato is a fruit, or vegetable has been around for centuries. Fun fact: in 1893, the U.S. Supreme Court legally classified tomatoes as vegetables! However, from a botanical perspective, tomatoes are considered fruits due to their seeds.   Regardless of what you call them, tomatoes are packed…

Did you know that spinach is mostly water? Spinach is made up of about 91% water, which explains why cooked spinach “shrinks” so much. Cook up a bowl of this dark green vegetable on March 26th for National Spinach Day.   You are probably familiar with the cartoon Popeye and his love for spinach. That…

Did you know that bell pepper is considered a fruit? Botanically speaking, fruits are developed from the flower of a plant and have seeds, while vegetables are other parts of the plant. Learning more about the foods that you eat throughout June is a great way to celebrate National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month.  …

Did you know that tomorrow, April 6th, is National Fresh Tomato Day? How about that tomatoes are actually considered a fruit? Tomatoes have seeds, which means they are botanically considered fruit. However, in the culinary world, they are considered vegetables due to their savory rather than sweet flavoring.   Tomatoes are in season from May to…

Did you know that the sweet potato is not in the same family as the white potato or even yams, which they are commonly mistaken for? Sweet potatoes actually belong to the convolvulaceae family or “morning glory family” which also contains a plethora of flowers as well!  No matter what “family” the sweet potato belongs…

As far back as the ancient Greeks, celery has been used as an ingredient in many dishes.  It is an incredibly versatile ingredient that can serve as the base of the dish or as an addition for more of a crunch. Since it’s available year-round at a reasonable cost, it’s an ingredient that won’t hurt…

Did you know that mushrooms are neither a fruit nor a vegetable? This nutritious food is actually part of the fungi family! Mushrooms are extremely versatile in recipes and also have several health benefits. Each year on April 16th National Day of the Mushroom is celebrated to put this food in its well-deserved spotlight.   Mushrooms gained…

St. Patrick’s Day may be over, but we can still enjoy some festive green for National Spinach Day on March 26th! This day is a great time to focus on all of the health benefits spinach has to offer, as well as its versatility for recipes.   National Spinach Day is a great time to…

How much do you know about sweet potatoes, aside from how delicious it is?   You may not give it much thought except around Thanksgiving. However, they’re actually the perfect vegetable all year long.   February is National Sweet Potato Awareness Month, which makes right now the perfect time to tell you all about the…

It’s that time of the year again! October means fall is officially here and it’s time for pumpkin flavored everything! It’s also time for jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treating, but pumpkins can be so much more than simply decoration.   Pumpkins are a cultivar of squash and are planted in the summer to be available in the…

The month of May is National Asparagus Month! Although this may not be your favorite vegetable because of its slightly bitter and unique flavor, asparagus had been a cornerstone of many diets for thousands of years.   Asparagus is a member of the lily family. There are approximately 300 species of asparagus, but only 20…

Did you know that the zucchini variety of summer squash is native to Italy?  The word zucchini comes from the Italian zucchino, meaning a small squash.  It was brought over to America in the 1920s, where it was often referred to as the “green Italian squash” and was not recognizable.   Boy have things changed!…

Did you know mushrooms are a part of the fungi family?  This may lead you to find mushrooms unappetizing, but it shouldn’t!  They are perfectly edible and are very nutritious.  Mushrooms are neither a fruit nor vegetable and offers benefits to your health outside the realm that produce does.   This Sunday, April 16th is…

I used to think that celery was the dullest of all of the vegetables. I used to resent its mild, watery flavor. Who knows, perhaps it was an immature palate that steered me away from celery. But boy things have changed. April is National Celery Month and is a great time to learn more about…

Do you remember watching reruns of Popeye the Sailorman at a young age?  Did you ever wish your muscles would grow like his after you ate a can of spinach?  Unfortunately, spinach does not cause your muscles to grow like that.  But, spinach does keep you healthy and provide your body with many essential nutrients,…

Did you know that leeks are Wale’s national emblem?  The Welsh’s regard for leeks dates back to the 1600s when Welsh soldiers placed leeks in their caps to differentiate themselves from their opponents.  To this day, leeks are still an important vegetable in many northern European cultures.   Leeks are versatile, tasty, and easy to…

When you think of a smoothie, do you associate it with summertime?  Is it because it’s a cold drink?  That doesn’t have to be the case!  Smoothies can be enjoyed year round and are a perfect way for you to incorporate more fruits and vegetables throughout the day!   Smoothie Steps   Making your own…

Spaghetti Squash By Charna Sheinfeld,  Nutrition Intern Cheap, easy to prepare, versatile, gluten free, and guilt free. These are just some of the many ways to portray spaghetti squash. This yellow, oval shaped squash gets its name because of the way its flesh separates after being cooked into yellow strands resembling spaghetti. At only 42…

As soon as fall rolls in and October starts, the pumpkins come out! Pumpkins are pretty, trendy, and represent the weather and holidays approaching. But, pumpkins are also delicious and they do not get enough credit for it!! Besides using them as decorations, they are the perfect food to eat on a chilly day!  …

January is the first full month of winter. With a new season comes a new selection of vegetables that are at their peak ripeness for consumption. This winter, play around with one of the most interesting and dynamic vegetable around, the artichoke. Artichokes have history dating all the way back to the time of the…