Delicious Fun Facts from the Field: Secrets of Vegetables
Observation
Delicious Fun Facts from the Field: Secrets of Vegetables
In this "Let’s Look" section, we will learn about vegetables. The vegetables we eat every day are very familiar plants. Did you know that that vegetable and this vegetable belong to the same family? It might change the way you think about vegetables.
What You'll Learn in "Let's Think"
- What is the structure of the plant's body?
- Which part of the plant are we eating?
"Let’s Think" is quiz time!
That should be easy! Aim for a perfect score!
Before starting the quiz, let's think about the parts of a plant, because vegetables are plants.
Oh...
Umm, you don’t sound too interested…
Well, let’s start by looking at this picture.
Well, let’s start by looking at this picture.
Sure.
A plant’s body is made up of roots, stems, leaves, flowers (or buds), and fruit. The leaves grow on the stem, and the roots grow below the stem.
Oh, I see.
Now, here's the first question:
Which of these vegetables is one where we eat the fruit part?
Which of these vegetables is one where we eat the fruit part?
That's easy.
It's number 3, the tomato!
It's number 3, the tomato!
Correct!
For many vegetables where we eat the fruit, you can see the seeds when you cut them with a knife. The little dots you see when you cut a tomato are seeds.
For many vegetables where we eat the fruit, you can see the seeds when you cut them with a knife. The little dots you see when you cut a tomato are seeds.
Oh, I see.
Now, here's the next question.
Which vegetable do we eat the leaves of?
Which vegetable do we eat the leaves of?
Hmm, my family calls lettuce “leaves,” so… number 2, lettuce!
Correct again!
Many vegetables that we eat the leaves of have veins that carry water and nutrients. If you look closely at lettuce, you can see lots of tiny veins inside.
Many vegetables that we eat the leaves of have veins that carry water and nutrients. If you look closely at lettuce, you can see lots of tiny veins inside.
Wow.
Lettuce belongs to the daisy family and grows such beautiful flowers. Other plants in the same family include burdock, crown daisy, and chicory, which you can even find at the supermarket lately.
Burdock grows flowers too?
Yes, it does. Since we eat the root part of burdock, people don't often get to see its flowers, but it grows cute ones.
That's interesting.
Now, for the final question.
Which part of the broccoli do we eat?
Which part of the broccoli do we eat?
Huh? That's a tough one! Since it's green, is it number 2, the stem?
Nope.
The correct answer is number 3, the flowers (buds).
The correct answer is number 3, the flowers (buds).
Really? So, does it bloom flowers?
Yes, each part you eat is a bud.
If you leave it for a while, it will bloom little yellow flowers.
If you leave it for a while, it will bloom little yellow flowers.
Wow, they really do.
Broccoli belongs to the mustard family, so its flowers look like those of radishes and cabbage.
So, vegetables aren't just leaves?
That’s right. Even plants in the same family can have different parts we eat.
Lettuce and burdock are in the same family, but we eat different parts. The leaves and the roots!
You're root-ally right!
In the next "Let's Try" section, you'll see more vegetables where we eat the root part!
In the next "Let's Try" section, you'll see more vegetables where we eat the root part!
I'm looking forward to it!
What You Learned in "Let's Think"
- The parts of a plant: roots, stems, leaves, flowers (buds), and fruit.
- Many vegetables that we eat the fruit part of have seeds inside.
- Many vegetables that we eat the leaf part of show visible veins.
- Different vegetables have different parts that we eat.