Is A Jalapeño A Fruit Or A Vegetable?
The jalapeño is a large pepper and one of the most widely used chili peppers in the world. People often have difficulty determining if a jalapeño is a fruit or a vegetable.
What Exactly Is A Jalapeño?
A jalapeño is a green, red or sometimes yellow pepper that is native to Mexico and is typically harvested while it is still green. It is part of the chile pepper family and stands relatively small in comparison to other types of peppers, usually growing between two to three and a half inches long.
Is A Jalapeño A Fruit Or A Vegetable?
The answer is that a jalapeño is technically a fruit. Fruits are defined as the ripened ovaries of a plant and are typically brightly colored, sweet and have seeds. Jalapeños meet all of these criteria, as they are brightly colored, they can be sweet, and they contain seeds.
Nutritional Value
Jalapeños are a great source of many essential vitamins and minerals. They contain vitamins A, C, K, B6 and riboflavin. They also contain minerals such as manganese, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus. In addition, they are also a great source of dietary fiber and are low in calories and fat.
Uses
Jalapeños have become a very versatile ingredient and can be added to a variety of dishes to give them an extra kick of flavor. They are commonly used to make salsas, hot sauces, marinades and even jellies. They can be diced, sliced, pickled, grilled or roasted.
Conclusion
Jalapeños are a type of pepper that are commonly used in a variety of dishes for an extra kick of flavor. They are technically a fruit, as they contain seeds, as well as many essential vitamins and minerals. Whether cooked, pickled, grilled or roasted, jalapeños are sure to make any dish more flavorful.
