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kenpapa
Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 20
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 Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 8:50 pm Post subject: squashes and pumpkins |
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What is the difference between squashes and pumpkins?
Are they both vegetables or fruit? |
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Dave Shaffer
Joined: 10 Oct 2005
Posts: 15
Location: Gwangju, S Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 1:09 am Post subject: Re: squashes and pumpkins |
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| kenpapa wrote: |
What is the difference between squashes and pumpkins?
Are they both vegetables or fruit? |
Scientifically, a pumpkin is just one member of the squash family -- a big, round, orange member that is a bit sweet.
Also, in the scientific sense of the term "fruit," all squash, including pumpkins, are fruit. The scientific meaning of "fruit" is that which is produced from the bloom (flower) of a plant. According to this definition, cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, and peas are all fruit, too.
But in common, everyday usage, we call only juicy, sweetish plant parts "fruit." So in general usage, squash and pumpkins are called vegetables.
Dave Shaffer
Chosun University
S Korea |
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kenpapa
Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:58 pm Post subject: Re: squashes and pumpkins |
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Thank you very much, Dave. Your explanation is really helpful and easy to understand.
Kenpapa
| Dave Shaffer wrote: |
| kenpapa wrote: |
What is the difference between squashes and pumpkins?
Are they both vegetables or fruit? |
Scientifically, a pumpkin is just one member of the squash family -- a big, round, orange member that is a bit sweet.
Also, in the scientific sense of the term "fruit," all squash, including pumpkins, are fruit. The scientific meaning of "fruit" is that which is produced from the bloom (flower) of a plant. According to this definition, cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, and peas are all fruit, too.
But in common, everyday usage, we call only juicy, sweetish plant parts "fruit." So in general usage, squash and pumpkins are called vegetables.
Dave Shaffer
Chosun University
S Korea |
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