Vegetable Fruits and Squashes

Appears in

The Cook's Companion: A step-by-step guide to cooking skills including original recipes

Published 1991

About

Vegetable fruits, which include tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, cucumbers and okra, are a delicious group which are botanically classified as fruits, but eaten as vegetables. In fact, they all contain an element of sweetness, as does the squash family. They combine well with each other in dishes such as ratatouille or vegetable curries.

The joy of aubergines lies in their creamy, almost dissolving consistency. So, whether they are baked, grilled, fried or stewed, they must become completely soft before eating. Some people are wary of okra but if you buy them small and an unblemished green, they are excellent. The versatile squash family, including courgettes, marrow and pumpkin, all differ slightly in flavour and texture, but can be combined with all sorts of complementary ingredients.