2019

CULINARY TERMS OF
VEGETABLES

DICTIONARY
CARIDAD;SARMIENTO

A a large winter squash (Cucurbita moschata)
A-corn squash
a winter squash, typically of a dark green
variety, with a longitudinally ridged rind.
Agaricus Bisporus
is an edible basidiomycete mushroom
native to grasslands in Europe and North
America. It has two color states while
immature—white and brown—both of which
have various names.
Allium Sativum
bulbous herb of southern Europe widely
naturalized; bulb breaks up into separate
strong-flavored cloves
Allium Fistulosum
Asiatic onion with slender bulbs; used as
early green onions
B
Basil
leaves of the common basil; used fresh or
dried
Batata
pantropical vine widely cultivated in several
varieties for its large sweet tuberous root
with orange flesh
Bell pepper
plant bearing large mild thick-walled usually
bell-shaped fruits; the principal salad
peppers
Bottle gourd
Old World climbing plant with hard-shelled
bottle-shaped gourds as fruits
C Eddoe
Cabbage
a vegetable with thick, lettuce-like leaves.
Calabaza
that resembles a pumpkin and is typically
grown in the West Indies and tropical
America.
Camote
an edible tropical tuber with pinkish orange,
slightly sweet flesh.
Calabash
an evergreen tropical American tree which
bears fruit in the form of large woody
gourds.
D
Dasheen
a tropical Asian plant of the arum family
which has edible starchy corms and edible
fleshy leaves, especially a variety with a
large central corm grown as a staple in the
Pacific.
Daucus carota
a tapering orange-colored root eaten as a
vegetable.
Dongua
also called ash gourd, white gourd, winter
gourd, tallow gourd, ash pumpkin, and
winter melon and “Chinese preserving
melon”[4] is a vine grown for its very large
fruit, eaten as a vegetable when mature.
Donqua melon
a tendril-bearing, sprawling annual plant
(Benincasa hispida) widely cultivated in Asia
for its waxy-skinned edible fruit. Also called
wax gourd.
E
is a tropical vegetable often considered
identifiable as the species Colocasia
Antiquorum, which is primarily used for its
thickened stems (corms).
Eggplant
the purple egg-shaped fruit of a tropical Old
World plant, which is eaten as a vegetable.
Elephant garlic
is a perennial plant belonging to the onion
genus. It is not a true garlic, but actually a
variant of the garden leek
Endive
an edible Mediterranean plant whose bitter
leaves may be blanched and used in
salads.
F
Faba bean
a large flat edible green bean that is
typically eaten without the pod.
Fennel
an aromatic yellow-flowered European plant
of the parsley family, with feathery leaves.
Field salad
salad made of assorted greens such as one
might find growing wild in fields. A plant
used in salads, corn salad or mâche,
Valerianella locusta.
French beans
are narrow green beans that are eaten as a
vegetable. They grow on a tall climbing
plant and are the cases that contain the
seeds of the plant.
G African, Ethiopian, and South Asian origins.
Gailan
is a leaf vegetable with thick, flat, glossy
blue-green leaves with thick stems, and
flower heads similar to but much smaller
than broccoli
Galangal
is a common name for several tropical
rhizomatous spices.
Gandule
is another name for pigeon peas (Cajanus
Cajan). Pigeon peas are a small bean that
are native to Africa and/or India but most
likely originated in India and were brought to
Africa millennia ago, where many different
strains were developed.
Garlic
a strong-smelling pungent-tasting bulb,
used as a flavoring in cooking and in herbal
medicine.
H
Habanero
a small chili pepper that is the hottest
variety available.
Haricot verts
a thin green bean
Helianthus tuberosus
The Jerusalem artichoke, also called
sunroot, sunchoke, or earth apple, is a
species of sunflower native to central North
America. It grows wild in eastern and
western North America but is considered an
introduced species.
Hibiscus esulantus
Abelmoschus esculentus, known in many
English-speaking countries as ladies'
fingers or ochro, is a flowering plant in the
mallow family. It is valued for its edible
green seed pods. The geographical origin of
okra is disputed, with supporters of West
I
Indian bean
is an edible perennial vine in the family
Basellaceae. It is found in tropical Asia and
Africa where it is widely used as a leaf
vegetable. It is native to the Indian
subcontinent, Southeast Asia and New
Guinea.
Indian lotus
Nelumbo nucifera, also known as Indian
lotus, sacred lotus, bean of India, Egyptian
bean or simply lotus, is one of two extant
species of aquatic plant in the family
Nelumbonaceae.
Indian spinach
is an edible perennial vine in the family
Basellaceae.
Ipomoea aquaticaI
is a semi-aquatic, tropical plant grown as a
vegetable for its tender shoots and leaves.
J is a semi-aquatic, tropical plant grown as a
Jalapeno
is a medium-sized chili pepper pod type
cultivar of the species Capsicum annuum. A
mature jalapeño chili is 5–10 cm long and
hangs down with a round, firm, smooth flesh
of 25–38 mm wide. It can have a range of
pungency, with Scoville heat units of 3,500
to 8,000
Japanese salad green
is a preparation of immature soybeans in
the pod, found in cuisines with origins in
East Asia. The pods are boiled or steamed
and may be served with salt. In Japan, they
are usually blanched in 4% salt water and
not served with salt.
Jerusalem artichoke
also called sunroot, sunchoke, or earth
apple, is a species of sunflower native to
central North America. It grows wild in
eastern and western North America but is
considered an introduced species.
Jesuit's tea
is an annual or short-lived perennial herb
native to Central America, South America,
and southern Mexico.
K
Kailan
is the Cantonese name and jie lan is the
Mandarin name for a vegetable that is also
known as Chinese broccoli or Chinese kale.
Kale
is one of certain cultivars of cabbage
(Brassica oleracea) grown for their edible
leaves, although some are used as
ornamentals. Kale plants have green or
purple leaves, and the central leaves do not
form a head (as with headed cabbage).
Kangkong
vegetable for its tender shoots and leaves.
Karella
is a tropical and subtropical vine of the
family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown in Asia,
Africa, and the Caribbean for its edible fruit.
L
Lablab bean
a species of bean in the family Fabaceae. It
is native to Africa and it is cultivated
throughout the tropics for food.
Leek
is a vegetable, a cultivar of Allium
ampeloprasum, the broadleaf wild leek.
Lemon thyme
is a lemon-scented evergreen mat-forming
perennial. There has been a great deal of
confusion over the plant's correct name and
origin. Recent DNA analysis suggests that it
is not a hybrid or cross, but a distinct
species as it was first described in 1811
Lemon verbena
is a species of flowering plant in the
verbena family Verbenaceae, native to
South America. Common names include
lemon verbena and lemon beebrush.

M Europe and Asia, and one of the oldest
Maca
is an edible herbaceous biennial plant of the
family Brassicaceae that is native to South
America in the high Andes mountains of
Peru.
Malabar spinach
is an edible perennial vine in the family
Basellaceae. It is found in tropical Asia and
Africa where it is widely used as a leaf
vegetable. It is native to the Indian
subcontinent, Southeast Asia and New
Guinea.
Malanga
is a tropical plant grown primarily for its
edible corms, a root vegetable most
commonly known as taro, or kalo in
Hawaiian.
Malanga isleña
thick, fleshy-leaved South American plant,
Xanthosoma atrovirens, of the arum family,
having leaves up to 3 feet (90 cm) long and
nearly 2 feet (60 cm) wide.
N P
Narrow leaved dock
is a perennial herb in the family
Polygonaceae. Other names for sorrel
include spinach dock and narrow-leaved
dock. It is a common plant in grassland
habitats and is cultivated as a garden herb
or salad vegetable.
Nelumbo nucifera
also known as Indian lotus, sacred lotus,
bean of India, Egyptian bean or simply
lotus. It is often colloquially called a water
lily.
Nasturtium officinale
is an aquatic plant species with the
botanical name Nasturtium officinale.
Watercress is a rapidly growing, aquatic or
semi-aquatic, perennial plant native to
known leaf vegetables consumed by
humans
Nopal
is a common name in Spanish for Opuntia
cacti, as well as for its pads.
O
Oca
is a perennial herbaceous plant that
overwinters as underground stem tubers.
Ocinum basilicum
is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae.
Okra
known in many English-speaking countries
as ladies' fingers or ochro, is a flowering
plant in the mallow family. It is valued for its
edible green seed pods.
Ong choy
is a semi-aquatic, tropical plant grown as a
vegetable for its tender shoots and leaves.
Paico
is an annual or short-lived perennial herb
native to Central America, South America,
and southern Mexico
Pakchoy
do not form heads and have green leaf
blades with lighter bulbous bottoms instead,
forming a cluster reminiscent of mustard
greens. Chinensis varieties are popular in
southern China and Southeast Asia.
Parsley
is a species of flowering plant in the family
Apiaceae that is native to the central
Mediterranean region
Parsnip
is a root vegetable closely related to carrot
and parsley; all belong to the family
Apiaceae.
R Tabasco pepper
Raddichio
is a type of chicory with white veins and
deep reddish-purple leaves that form a
round or elongated head.
Raddish
is an edible root vegetable of the family
Brassicaceae that was domesticated in
Europe in pre-Roman times.
Rapeesed
is a bright-yellow flowering member of the
family Brassicaceae, cultivated mainly for its
oil-rich seed. It is the third-largest source of
vegetable oil and second-largest source of
protein meal in the world
Rapini
is a green cruciferous vegetable, with the
leaves, buds, and stems all being edible;
the buds somewhat resemble broccoli, but
do not form a large head.
S tuberosus, a plant grown primarily as a root
Sacred lotus
is one of two extant species of aquatic plant
in the family Nelumbonaceae. It is often
colloquially called a water lily.
Sage
an aromatic plant with grayish-green leaves
that are used as a culinary herb, native to
southern Europe and the Mediterranean.
Salicornia
is a genus of succulent, halophyte flowering
plants in the family Amaranthaceae that
grow in salt marshes, on beaches, and
among mangroves
Salsify
is a plant cultivated for its ornamental
flower, edible root, and herbal properties.
T
is a variety of chili pepper species
Capsicum fruit.
Tamarindo
is a leguminous tree bearing edible fruit that
is indigenous to tropical Africa. The genus
Tamarindus is monotypic, meaning that it
contains only this species.
Tanier
is a species of tropical flowering plant in the
genus Xanthosoma, which produces an
edible, starchy corm.
Tannia
is a species of tropical flowering plant in the
genus Xanthosoma, which produces an
edible, starchy corm.
U
Ulluco
is a genus of flowering plants in the family
Basellaceae, with one species, Ullucus
vegetable, secondarily as a leaf vegetable.
Ullucus tuberosus
a plant grown primarily as a root vegetable,
secondarily as a leaf vegetable.
V
Valerianella locusta
is a small annual plant that is eaten as a
leaf vegetable. It has a characteristic nutty
flavour, dark green colour, and soft texture,
and is popularly served as salad greens.
Verdolaga
is an annual succulent in the family
Portulacaceae, which may reach 40 cm in
height. Approximately forty cultivars are
currently grown.
Vicia faba
is a species of flowering plant in the pea
and bean family Fabaceae. It is of uncertain
origin and widely cultivated as a crop for
human consumption. It is also used as a
cover crop.
Vigna radiata
is a plant species in the legume family. The
mung bean is mainly cultivated in East Asia,
Southeast Asia and Indian subcontinent. It
is used as an ingredient in both savory and
sweet dishes.
W crisp, sweet-tasting, tuberous roots.
Water chesnut
the Chinese water chestnut or water
chestnut, is a grass-like sedge native to
Asia, Australia, tropical Africa, and various
islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It
is grown in many countries for its edible
corms.
Water convulvulus
is a semi-aquatic, tropical plant grown as a
vegetable for its tender shoots and leaves.
Water spinach
is a semi-aquatic, tropical plant grown as a
vegetable for its tender shoots and leaves.
Water cress
is a rapidly growing, aquatic or semi-
aquatic, perennial plant native to Europe
and Asia, and one of the oldest known leaf
vegetables consumed by humans.
X
Xanthosoma sagitifuliium
is a species of tropical flowering plant in the
genus Xanthosoma.
Xanthosoma spp
is a genus of flowering plants in the arum
family, Araceae. The leaves of most
Xanthosoma species are 40-200 cm long,
sagittate (arrowhead-shaped) or subdivided
into three or as many as 18 segments.
Y
Yacon
is a species of perennial daisy traditionally
grown in the northern and central Andes
from Colombia to northern Argentina for its
Yam
is the common name for some plant species
(at least eight) in the genus Dioscorea
(family Dioscoreaceae) that form edible
tubers.
Yami
are perennial herbaceous vines cultivated
for the consumption of their starchy tubers
in many temperate and tropical world
regions, especially Africa, Asia, and
Oceania.
Yardlong beans
is a legume cultivated for its edible green
pods containing immature seeds, like the
green bean. It is also known as the yardlong
bean, long-podded cowpea, Chinese long
bean, bodi/bora, snake bean, or pea bean.
Yautia
the arrowleaf elephant ear, arrowleaf
elephant's ear or American taro, is a
species of tropical flowering plant in the
genus Xanthosoma, which produces an
edible, starchy corm.
Yellow turnip
is a root vegetable that originated as a cross
between the cabbage and the turnip. The
roots are eaten in a variety of ways, and the
leaves can be eaten as a leaf vegetable.
Zucchini
is a summer squash, of Mesoamerican
origin, which can reach nearly 1 m in length,
but is usually harvested when still immature
at about 15 to 25 cm.

Yuca
is a genus of perennial shrubs and trees in
the family Asparagaceae, subfamily
Agavoideae. Its 40–50 species are notable
for their rosettes of evergreen, tough,
sword-shaped leaves and large terminal
panicles of white or whitish flowers. They
are native to the hot and dry parts of the
Americas and the Caribbean.

Yuchui
is a leafy vegetable commonly used in
Chinese cuisine. It is a member of the
genus Brassica of the mustard family,
Brassicaceae (Brassica rapa var.
parachinensis or Brassica chinensis var.
parachinensis).

Z
Zappallo
is one of the most diverse domesticated
species. This species originated in South
America from the wild Cucurbita andreana
over 4000 years ago. The two species
hybridize quite readily but have noticeably
different calcium levels.

Zaea mays
is a genus of flowering plants in the grass
family. One of the most important crops for
human societies throughout much of the
world. Several wild species are commonly
known as teosintes and are native to
Mesoamerica.

Zingiber offcinate
is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger
root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and
a folk medicine. It is a herbaceous perennial
which grows annual pseudostems about a
meter tall bearing narrow leaf blades.