Fun Facts

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According to the National Academy of Sciences' study on diet, nutrition and cancer, a regular diet of carotene-rich and cruciferous vegetables is connected with a reduction in the incidence of certain cancers.

The beet dates back to prehistoric times; ancient civilizations along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea grew beets for the medicinal quality of their tops. Later, when the root grew plumper and more succulent, they savored its pleasant taste and texture. At the same time Charlemagne was leaving his mark on the French empire, the beet was becoming quite popular. By then, no respectable French garden was complete without several rows of the hearty plant. During the 16th century, the beet traveled from France to Germany where it was known as "Roman Beet." Like the Romans, it eventually crossed the English Channel and, from there, to more fertile country in the New World. Sliced, tangy, pickled beets, packed in a special brine of vinegar and natural flavoring, add color and zest to an hors d'oeuvre tray or salad bar. Whole beets can be made into a delicious Eastern European soup, borscht. Cut and diced style beets are perfect for use in many ethnic vegetable dishes to complement a meat or fish entree. Beets are an excellent source of fiber and phosphorous. And, a half-cup serving of canned beets contains just 35 calories.

Okra was first cultivated in Africa, but some wild species have also been found in India, suggesting that the vegetable was distributed throughout the Old World. Some believe that okra was taken from Africa to Spain by the invading Moors of the 8th century. It was only after the discovery of the Americas by Columbus, that the vegetable was introduced to this area. Today, almost all of the crop is grown in the southern United States, where the climate is most favorable.

Okra is a green, edible, seed-filled pod. It is sometimes called "gumbo," the name given to soups and stews in which it is an important ingredient. Okra can be served steamed or boiled as a vegetable dish, or in soups and stews, in which it has a thickening effect. Okra is low in calories (25 calories in a 1/2 cup), and is a good source of calcium, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C and fiber. It also supplies from 4-7g of protein per 100 calories. However, large quantities (10.5 oz or 300g) need to be consumed in order to get these amounts of protein and calories. Being filling, but not fattening, it is a good food for hearty eaters.

Cucumbers were native to India about 1000 B.C., spread to China about 200 B.C., and showed up in Europe in Roman times. One Roman emperor is reported to have eaten fresh cucumbers every day of the year, grown by artificial methods in the off season. Columbus brought cucumbers to the New World on one of his voyages, and the vegetable soon spread to English and Spanish colonies and to the Native Americans. Cucumbers come in a variety of sizes, some up to two feet long. Pickles are cucumbers that have been cured in brine or vinegar solution.

Pre-Incan tribes first cultivated peppers over 2000 years ago in tropical America. Columbus discovered "hot" peppers in the West Indies and brought them back to spice-conscious Europe. The related sweet pepper had most of its development in the United States in the last 200 years. Sweet and hot peppers belong to the same family as tomatoes and potatoes. Sweet peppers are high in vitamin C and a good source of vitamin A. Interestingly, red peppers are much higher in vitamins A and C than green peppers.