Interesting Historical Facts about Vegetables

The Spaniards first brought the potato to Europe from South America in the sixteenth century. Most of a potato, about three-fourths, is water.

People planted onions in Egypt more than four thousand years ago. Today, onions are still a popular vegetable.

About 35 percent of the world’s sugar comes from beet sugar, which is made from sugar beets.

Vegetables take different times to grow. Beets are ready in 6–8 weeks, potatoes in 10–17 weeks, tomatoes in 13–15 weeks, cucumbers in 8–10 weeks, onions in 16–20 weeks, cabbage in 13–16 weeks, pumpkins in 13–15 weeks, carrots in 8–9 weeks, radishes in 4–5 weeks, peas in 8–9 weeks, melons in 16–20 weeks, and watermelons in 18–22 weeks.

Until about a century ago, people thought tomatoes were poisonous. They grew tomatoes in flower gardens for decoration and called them “love apples.” One day, a brave person tried a tomato, and it was not harmful. Tomatoes are native to South America, but today they are grown in many parts of the world.