Dumb question about veggies...

[redhen]

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really? I bet from Idaho..

I'm reading a book on the Irish famine right now... those poor people..

 

[redhen]

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yeah..i bought some ruby red hybred sweet corn a couple years ago

.... its amazing what they can create today..
Thats interesting! So corn was basically like a grass with small cobs/seeds on it?? neat to know!

 

[gritsar]

I'm part vegetable. But I blame the 70s.

 

[mom'sfolly]

From the Americas: peppers, tomatoes, corn (maize), wild rice (still grows wild), cocoa, potatoes, avocados, cranberries, blueberries (I think) some beans and squash
Most grains are from Asia and the middle east
I think cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower etc are virtually the same plant, just selectively bred for certain characteristics.
Most fruits are from Asia and the middle east: pears, apples, cherries, citrus (I believe there is still naturally occuring wild citrus), almonds, grapes, apricots, peaches...

Here's a website I found:

http://www.localhistories.org/fruit.html

But I think that there was a green giant involved in there somewhere, Veggies made him happy, like gritsar in the 70s.........

 

[redhen]

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[babylady4]

Tomatoes were thought to be poison since they would leech the lead from the pewter flatware and dishes used by the wealthy (due to the acid in the tomato) causing lead poisoning and death. This little fact was not known 'back then' so tomatoes were given a bad rap and only those who were poor would be able to eat them without ill effects. It did not help that the plant also looks like deadly nightshade......

To get picky; the majority of our 'veggies' are technically fruits.

The origin of the potato and tomato is South America.

The more fruits the better!

 

[chickaddict]

Alton Brown did a show on butter that literally changed my life - luv him

Watch Modern Marvels on fruits, nuts and vegies - Over 90% of all the food grown in this country, including packaged seeds have been genetically engineered.

SCARY

In short, wherever the product came from origonally probably has little resemblence to what we grow now.


100 years ago if you pulled a piece of fruit off the tree (or a nut of any kind) that piece of fruit was packed with nutrients.

not true today

engineering has made it possble for these trees to bear more fruit while being more resistant to pests and disease. The price for this knowledge is nutrician.

An apple picked in 2009 - you would have to eat 3 or 4 to get the vitamin equivalent of an apple from 1909.

sad but true

 

[redhen]

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wow, really? Thats horrible...

 

[chickaddict]

really

I work at home - the tv is my background noise

unfortunately it means I learn a lot of strange facts that I would probably be better off NOT KNOWING.

If you happen to enjoy NIGHTMARES watch the episode on food production and radiation.

That's what got me into gardening and chickens in the first place.

 

[chickygrrl]

I would highly recommend reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. She doesn't go much into the historical origins of our food, but a lot about where it currently comes from (like, asparagus in January...) and about genetic engineering, all mixed into a great story about her family eating only local food for a year.

I am totally going to check out Good Eats!