Everywhere else it is considered a fruit, but in Oklahoma the watermelon has been officially declared a vegetable. And not just any vegetable, Oklahoma’s house of representatives yesterday voted to award the watermelon the honour of official state vegetable. The official state fruit is the strawberry.
Why does Oklahoma call watermelon a vegetable?
Official State Vegetable of Oklahoma
Although there is discussion over whether watermelon is a fruit or a vegetable, Senator Don Barrington (who sponsored the bill) said watermelon comes from the cucumber and gourd families, which are classified as vegetables. Oklahoma also recognizes a state fruit (strawberry).
When did watermelon become the state vegetable of Oklahoma?
2007
This article is in your queue. Oklahoma lawmakers this year are confronting some difficult issues: health care, public school financing and whether watermelon should remain the state vegetable. Since 2007, the Sooner State has bestowed the watermelon with that official designation.
What state has watermelon as their fruit?
List of U.S. state foods
State | Food type | Food name |
---|---|---|
Oklahoma | State fruit | Strawberry |
State vegetable | Watermelon | |
State steak | Ribeye | |
Oregon | State nut | Hazelnut (Filbert) |
What is the official fruit of Oklahoma?
strawberry
The bill passed, naming the strawberry the official state fruit (25 OS § 98.10).
Is a watermelon a fruit in Oklahoma?
The watermelon has been Oklahoma’s state vegetable — not fruit — for nearly a decade.
Are watermelons a vegetable?
According to Webster’s dictionary, a vegetable is anything made or obtained from plants (2004). Since watermelon is grown as a vegetable crop using vegetable production systems, watermelon is considered a vegetable (Wolford, 2004).
Do watermelons grow in Oklahoma?
Watermelon production requires a long and warm growing season. Acreage for watermelon is the largest for a vegetable crop in Oklahoma. Although watermelon can be grown in many areas of the state, current major production areas include west central, south-central and eastern areas.
What is the official state meal of Oklahoma?
The official state meal of Oklahoma consists of fried okra, cornbread, barbecue pork, squash, biscuits, sausage and gravy, grits, corn, strawberries (state fruit), chicken fried steak, pecan pie, and black-eyed peas.
What is Oklahoma known for?
Oklahoma is famous for its booming agriculture and energy industries and Native American heritage. Oklahoma is also known for college sports, country music and the iconic Route 66, which passed through the state in its heyday.
What fruit is every state known for?
Here is every state’s favorite fruit:
- Alabama: Blueberry.
- Alaska: Avocado.
- Arizona: Cantaloupe.
- Arkansas: Tomato.
- California: Eggplant.
- Colorado: Strawberry.
- Connecticut: Pitaya.
- Delaware: Pineapple.
What is the state fruit of Texas?
Texas Red Grapefruit
The Texas Red Grapefruit was adopted as the Texas state fruit on May 17, 1993. The fruit was first discovered by Texas citrus growers in 1929. It generates more revenue than any other tree fruit in Texas.
What is the famous fruit in Oklahoma?
Official State Fruit of Oklahoma
Strawberries (genus fragaria) are high in Vitamin C and A, and supply 8 percent of the recommended daily allowance for iron.
Is watermelon a berry?
The elongated tough-skinned fruits of the family Cucurbitaceae, including watermelons, cucumbers, and gourds, are a type of berry referred to as pepos. Any small fleshy fruit is popularly called a berry, especially if it is edible.
Is a cucumber a fruit or a vegetable?
fruit
The botanical classification: Cucumbers are fruit.
A botanical fruit would have at least one seed and grow from the flower of the plant. With this definition in mind, cucumbers are classified as fruit because they contain tiny seeds in the middle and grow from the flower of the cucumber plant.
Does each state have a fruit?
Not all states have them, but if your state does, you can show your pride by taking a bite of nature’s candy, your state fruit. Here is a list of all US state fruits, and some may surprise you. Data is listed alphabetically by state with the particular fruit noted.
What fruit is actually a vegetable?
This category includes items many consider to be vegetables, including squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant and avocados. Yes, pumpkins are a fruit! Peas and beans are a bit trickier, because if you just eat what’s inside the pod, you’re eating the seed.
Why is a watermelon a vegetable and a fruit?
If you talk to a botanist, they’ll maintain that watermelon is a fruit because it develops from the plant’s ovary after flowering and holds the seeds. A vegetable is anything eaten from other parts of a plant, like spinach leaves or carrots (which are roots).
What type of fruit is watermelon?
berry
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). Grant Heilman/Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. The fruit is a type of berry known botanically as a pepo. The sweet juicy flesh may be reddish, white, or yellow; flesh colour, shape of the fruit, and thickness of the rind depend on the variety.
When should I plant watermelon in Oklahoma?
Watermelon planting begins in late March in southern Oklahoma and mid April in northern areas. Seed will not germinate at soil temperatures below 60o F. Seedling emergence usually occurs in seven to ten days if soil temperature at seed depth is 65 to 68o F.
Where did watermelon originate from?
Africa
Background and Aims Watermelons, Citrullus species (Cucurbitaceae), are native to Africa and have been cultivated since ancient times. The fruit flesh of wild watermelons is watery, but typically hard-textured, pale-coloured and bland or bitter.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.