Vegetables that Grow on Trees
Amongst the many familiar and popular vegetables available to us, it may surprise you that there are some vegetables that actually grow on trees!
Fruits that Can Be Considered Vegetables
The majority of vegetables that fall into this category are mistakenly classified as fruits. Technically, they often fall into botanical categories of both ‘cones’ and ‘nuts’. Examples of these include:
- Coconuts: The outer husk of a coconut has a fibrous texture and is removed before eating, however the white flesh of this nut is considered to be a vegetable.
- Cassava: Also called Yuca, this vegetable grows underground in the form of its root. It grows in a similar way to a potato.
- Avocado: Often packaged and presented as a vegetable, avocados are actually a fruit. It can be used in many similar ways to its vegetable counterparts.
Actual Trees that Produce Vegetables
While there are several fruits that fall into this category, there really aren’t many that are actually grown on trees. There are a variety of reasons for this, but the main one is that many vegetables just don’t have the same longevity on the tree as fruits. Nevertheless, there are still some vegetables that can actually be picked from trees.
- Green Tomatoes: Tomatoes are classified as a fruit but is actually considered to be a vegetable. Green tomatoes can still be picked off the vine before they have fully ripened, making them an excellent source of early-season produce.
- Curry Leaves: Surprisingly, curry leaves can actually be picked off trees. The leaves grow in clusters and can be used to flavour a variety of Asian dishes.
- Moringa: Moringa is an incredibly versatile vegetable that can be found growing on trees in many parts of the world. The leaves, flowers and even pods can be consumed and is seen as a superfood due to its nutrition content.
So, while the majority of the vegetables we know and love are grown in the ground and on bushes, there is an interesting selection that can actually be picked off trees.
