While not a particularly important crop commercially or economically in most parts of the world (and certainly nowhere near as widely cultivated as bulb or ‘standard’ onions), green onions are grown on every continent with the exception of Antarctica, and are a favorite component of many and varied cuisines. They are most widely used in … Read more
It is really pretty hard to find a vegetable that is more versatile than the potato. Potatoes can be baked, boiled, mashed, fried, roasted, steamed, broiled, grilled, sautéed; they can be served whole, cubed, sliced, julienned (or cut into strips), stuffed; they can be made into salads, French fries, home fries, chips, puffs, and sticks. … Read more
The martini is a classic American cocktail with timeless popularity. Made with varying proportions of gin and dry vermouth, the martini is an alcoholic beverage with endless variations. Figures throughout history, both real and fictional, have been known to adopt martinis as their drink of choice. One of the most widely recognized examples of this … Read more
Even though the US is currently the world’s largest importer of it (almost 200,000 tons per year) and the 7th largest commercial producer, asparagus only became widely available in the United States in the mid-1850s. Prior to this, most Americans who hadn’t been to Europe had probably never even heard of a vegetable that had … Read more
The world is filled with many beautiful natural wonders which range in their landscapes. Some of the most impressive are the world’s vast supply of lakes. Earth is filled with over 117 million lakes that vary in their scenery and marine life. This is especially so with those that are very deep as they have … Read more
Unless you are a dedicated home gardener or horticulturist, the odds are pretty good that you don’t think a great deal about cucumbers. You see them pretty much year round in the produce section of the market, slice them for use in salads or maybe eat them raw as a snack or with dips, and … Read more
Believe it or not, there are over 1,000 known types of sweet potatoes in the world and that’s not even counting the different types of yams – with which the sweet potato is often confused, but which is, in reality, a completely different plant. There are over 100 varieties grown in the United States alone, … Read more
For many people, the first sure sign that summer is finally on its way is the appearance of fresh peaches at their local market. Normally available throughout North American and Western Europe spring, summer and fall, peaches are one of those special foods that make you feel good when you eat them … just because. … Read more
Though you might not realize it, beets are one of the most commercially important plants in the world today. Literally, hundreds of millions of tons of beets are cultivated across the globe on a yearly basis, and their production is of paramount importance to the agricultural economies of a number of countries in different parts … Read more
Carrots have got quite a bit going for them. They are relatively easy to grow; they will thrive in a number of different types of climates; they are very healthy to eat; and they are one of the longest lasting vegetables out there. There are also a number of misconceptions about carrots that many people … Read more