Exotic vegetables and fruits in India



photo by rick ligethelm/CC  BY

Many years ago whn I was in college, one of our botany professor went to US on some Educational tour , when she returned back she told us about the
vegetation there, how the cauliflower is green in colour,cabbage is purple colour and potatos are red.We were amazed then and wondered how they looked!!

 really didnt believed that such veggies exist  !!!!!

photo by liz west/CC BY
 

but now over some years its not a wonder anymore , u can found some these veggies in India too, may be not in small towns but in metro cities ofcourse.these
vegetables are termed as Exotic.Some of the name that i know are............broccoli, lettuce,olives,artichoke,squash,kale,leek,celery,zuchini,purple or red
cabbage,parsnips,wheat grass,lemon grass,basil,red and yellow capsicum,baby corn , butternut,
fruits like avocados,persimmons, peaches ,plums ,black or blue berries,craberries,raspberries,kiwis etc.
some of the above are not entirely a western vegetables.they grow in some parts of India too,and are easily available in metro cities but yet u wont find them thru out the year or not in local vegetable or fruit market.they sell for high price and growing these veggies is a profitable buisness now.
read more about it here
importance / necessity of cultivation of exotic vegetables in India with their respective climatic / soil requirements

Broccoli
of all the above vegetables,broccoli has become very famous,its looks like cauliflower,only green in colour. lets see whats in it and why shud we eat it?
broccoli belongs to cabbage family,infact it is the flowering part of It is originated  in italy and is considerered as a valuable food in italian cuisine since roman
empire. it is introduced to us with italian immigrants but become popular  after 1920.
it is a cool weather crop.
but yet india has become the second largest producer for broccoli and cauliflower in world.
then why it is still so costly? this piece I got for Rs30.

here is a pic that i cliked from my neighbourhood.someone has grown broccoli in their kitchen garden?

i can't resist the temptation of getting it clicked. its purple!!

what i like about broccoli??
it cud be eaten raw,steamed, or boiled
can  easily be  mashed for baby food.
Eat as salad.
or can add to pasta.

Why u shu eat broccoli?
it has high level of calcium and vitamin k which help in maintaining strong bones and prevent osteporosis
it is good for people with high blood,regulates blood pressure.
It has large dose of beta carotene ,zinc and selenium ,so it boost immune system
contains glucoraphanin ,helps in repairing skin,esp sun damage
it is high in vitamin c ,dietary fibres and contains multiple nutrients with potent anti cancer properties.

Broccoli vs cauliflower

obviously they are almost same in looks .both are rich in dietary fibers and have anti canceer properties
,most of the nutritions in both are almost equal but how they differ?

                  broccoli                     vs              cauliflower

(nutrition/100gm)  

vit  A         623 IU        12%                              0 IU         0%

vit C         89.2 mg       148%                           48.2 mg    80%  

Iron          0.7 mg         3%                               0.4mg       2%

calcium     47 mg          4%                               22 mg       2%    
  
vit k  is also higher in broccoli than cauliflower, so good for nervous system
folate is high in cauliflower

price         Rs 60/kg                                                Rs 10-15/kg

Is broccoli better than cauliflower?
both broccoli and cauliflower are rich in vit c and dietary fibre. both contains nutrients that have anticancer properties.
so I consider both as equal if takes price in count too.

how to give broccoli to babies?
simply chop,steam and puree. mix little cheese and its ready,so yummy!!
can be given as finger food too, steam,chop into small piece and sprinkle cheese.

how to give to kids?
kids are usually fussy eaters ,they love junk food, so add in to their pasta or noodles,steam it slightly and cut and add.


will discuss more exotic veggies and their Indian counter part soon