From eggplants to okra: 5 ‘vegetables’ that are actually fruits

There is a big misunderstanding as to what makes for fruit and what qualifies as a vegetable. So if you ever get confused between the two, do not worry, you are not alone. Technically, by definition, fruits are the seeds of the plant that are produced from the ovary of the flowers. 

Therefore, anything you eat that has seeds in it is actually a fruit. Now, you must be thinking that fruits like bananas do not have seeds, but look again, the brown spots right in the centre of the fruit are its seeds. Alternatively, that means any other edible part of the plant like roots, stems and leaves classify as vegetables. This is why potatoes, spinach, onions are all listed as vegetables. 

The confusion arises because some fruits are commonly used in the preparation of popular vegetable curries, which is why they are mistaken to be vegetables. Compiled from Times of India, here is a list of fruits that are actually vegetables and vice versa.

1. Eggplant

Eggplants, also known as aubergines, belong to the nightshade family of plants and are used in many different dishes around the world. Although often considered a vegetable, they're technically a fruit, as they grow from a flowering plant and contain seeds.

2. Bell Peppers

 
Commonly classified and used as vegetables, bell peppers are actually fruits. The seeds of bell peppers are very promptly visible, and thus there is no doubt that this commonly used ‘vegetable’ is actually a fruit.

3. Green peas and Okra

You know how you list green peas and ladyfingers when asked to name all the green vegetables. Well, sorry to break it to you but you were wrong the whole time. Green peas pods are actually seeds developed from the flowering plant and hence qualify as fruits. Similarly, if you notice carefully, the centre of okra also contains a good amount of seeds, thus making it fruit and not a vegetable. Isn't it true that we learn something new every day?

4. Cucumber

This might come as a surprise to a lot of people. Next time you slice a cucumber to mix it in your vegetable salad, think again. Cucumber is actually a fruit. Loaded with seeds, this commonly used food ingredient is often mistaken to be a vegetable when it is actually a fruit.

5. Rhubarb

The adjective most commonly used for this item is that is has a fruity taste. Ironically, rhubarb is actually a vegetable. The popular dessert ingredient is sweet in taste, which is why the confusion arises, but actually, it is the plant stem that makes it a perennial vegetable.

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