Which Vegetables Are Actually Flowers?
Good news for those of us who love to eat our veggies – many of the vegetables that we enjoy eating are actually flowers. Below is a list of some of the most popular edibles that are actually flowers.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a type of cabbage and a member of the cabbage family (brace family). The name comes from the Italian word ‘bracchio’ which means ‘arm’, referring to the shape of the edible flower head.
Cauliflower
Another member of the brace family, cauliflower is a cousin to broccoli and Brussels sprouts. The edible part of the cauliflower is actually a cluster of small undeveloped flower buds.
Artichokes
The artichoke is actually a bud of an edible thistle flower, native to the Mediterranean region. The edible portion is the immature flowers of the artichoke plant, which is why it is often referred to as a ‘vegetable flower’.
Celery
Celery is derived from the ancient Greek word ‘selinon’, which means ‘celery’. The vegetable is a cultivated flower and the edible part is the flower stalk or petiole.
Eggplant
Surprisingly, eggplant is actually a fruit and a member of the nightshade family. The edible part is actually the flower, which is why it is often referred to as a ‘vegetable flower’.
Asparagus
Asparagus is a perennial flowering vegetable and a member of the lily family. The edible part is the shoot of the asparagus plant, which is the immature flower spike.
These are just a few of the vegetables that are actually flowers. It’s amazing how many vegetables that we eat are actually beautiful and edible flowers. So the next time you’re having a meal that involves vegetables, you can enjoy knowing that you’re actually eating flowers.
