It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, and just like any other neighborhood…and just like any other neighborhood, the produce bin neighborhood has several families.
Although these families are primarily designed for crop rotation, these families will be a great asset as we start discussing the fruits and vegetables segment of the Raw Foods Pyramid…
…and since we talked about broccoli as being a crucifer…(no, George Bush, not Lucifer….I thought that this might be a good time to go ahead and introduce you to the rest of crucifer’s tribe.
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THE ASTERCEAS FAMILY
This, at least to me, seems to be the miscellaneous category where those vegetables do not belong to any other family all hang out…If you’re a farmer, and know differently, then tell me…but for the purpose of making vegetables in the Raw Foods Pyramid easier to categorize, I’m using this family for my “junk pile.”
Members of this family include…
- artichokes
- lettuce
- tarragon
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CHENOPODIACEAE FAMILY
The chenopodiaceae family are typically plants without petals, such as…
- beets
- spinach
- Swiss chard
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CRUCIFER FAMILY
The crucifer family consists of those vegetables with four petals arranged in a cross shape …with six stamens, including two smaller ones, such as…
- arugula
- Asian greens
- broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- cabbage
- cauliflower
- Chinese cabbage
- kale
- kohlrabi
- mustard greens
- radishes
- turnips
- watercress
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CUCURBITACEAE FAMILY
The cucurbitaceae family, also known as the gourd family, includes those plants that typically run rampant, climb, or have spiral tendrils. Each of these plant produces their fruits on a long vine with seeds running through the center, usually protected by a hard rind.
This family not only has vegetables as members, but has also welcomed melons and some other large to join their gang…and includes…
- cantaloupes
- cucumbers
- gourds
- melons
- pumpkins
- squash
- watermelon
- zucchini
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FABACEAE FAMILY
The fabaceae family, also commonly known as legumes of pulses, includes…
- beans—all beans…including fava beans, lentils, soybeans
- peas
- peanuts
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LAMIACEAE FAMILY
The lamiaceae family are those highly fragrant plants that are often used to make essential oils and herbal teas, such as…
- lavender
- lemon balm
- marjoram
- mint
- oregano
- sage
- thyme
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LILIACEAE FAMILY
The liliaceae family includes plants with leaves that usually have vertical and very long leaves and flowers with six colorful petals, including…
- asparagus
- chives
- garlic
- leeks
- onions
- shallots
********************NIGHTSHADE FAMILY
The nightshade family includes…
- eggplant
- peppers, both sweet and hot peppers
- potatoes, but not sweet potatoes
- tomatoes
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POACEAE FAMILY
This family consists of nearly 12,000 species of “grasses” or grains that are so very important to our every diets, including…
-
- barley
- corn
- rice
- rye
- wheat
- A few examples: corn, rice, wheat, barley, oats, rye, and millet.
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ROSACEAE FAMILY
The Rosaceae family consists of herbaceous, woody plants with alternating leaves and pink flowers, such as…
- apples
- blackberries
- cherries
- pears
- plums
- raspberries
- strawberries
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UMBELLIFERAE FAMILY
The umbelliferae family consists of those vegetables that produce the vcegetable part that we eat under the ground. Members of this family include…
- carrots
- parsley
- dill
- cilantro
- fennel
- celery
- parsnips
