Category: Vegetables

Does Kale Give You Kidney Stones?

Oxalic acid is naturally occurring and found in plants such as spinach, chard, beets, berries and kale. When your urine contains higher levels of calcium and oxalate than it can dilute, those calcium and oxalate crystals bind together and form into hard masses or “stones” in the kidney. Does kale increase kidney stones? Vegetables rich […]

Is Star Anise The Same As Allspice?

Allspice. Allspice, contrary to its name, is not a combination of every spice. It has the flavor of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, which are similar flavors to star anise. You can buy allspice in a ground or whole berry form. Can I substitute star anise for allspice? Substitutes for Star Anise ½ teaspoon ground Star […]

Is Kale A Cabbage Or Spinach?

Kale is a popular vegetable and a member of the cabbage family. It is a cruciferous vegetable like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens and Brussels sprouts. There are many different types of kale. The leaves can be green or purple, and have either a smooth or curly shape. Is kale part of the spinach family? […]

What Is Kale Made Of?

kale, (Brassica oleracea, variety acephala), loose-leafed edible plant derived from the cabbage of the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Is kale a fruit or vegetable? NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS Kale is a member of the cruciferous vegetable family along with cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, collard greens, kohlrabi, rutabaga, turnips and bok choy. These vegetables offer health benefits, including […]

What Time Of Year Do Pinto Beans Grow?

Quick Reference Growing Guide Plant Type: Annual legume Heat, drought Hardiness (USDA Zone): 2-11 Clay or silt loam Season: Summer 6.0-7.0 Exposure: Full sun Well-draining Time to Maturity: 75-100 days Corn, squash, cucumber, celery, strawberries, leafy greens (plants that do well with a lot of nitrogen) Do pinto beans grow in the winter? Since they […]

What Peppers Grow Well In Pots?

Here are lots of the best peppers that grow well in containers: Shishito Pepper Seeds. Poblano Pepper Seeds. Bulgarian Carrot Pepper Seeds. Fushimi Pepper Seeds. Fire and Ice Peppers. Jalapeño M Seeds. Early Jalapeño Seeds. Bolivian Rainbow Pepper Seeds. Do pepper plants grow well in pots? If your summer gardening plans include growing a few […]

Should You Peel Bell Peppers?

That’s right: unless you’re roasting or stuffing peppers, peeling should be your default first move when prepping a pepper. Do bell peppers need to be peeled? Roasting the peppers not only deepens the flavor, but it allows you to blister and remove the thick skin. Thin skinned peppers don’t need to be peeled, but it […]

Are Peppers Easy To Grow?

Growing peppers is easy in any sunny, well-drained spot, and they are good candidates for roomy containers, too. Peppers have a naturally upright growth habit, so they often benefit from staking, which keeps brittle branches from breaking when they become heavy with fruit. What pepper is easiest to grow? If you don’t want to wait […]

Where Do Peppers Grow From?

Peppers are native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Pepper seeds were imported to Spain in 1493 and then spread through Europe and Asia. The mild bell pepper cultivar was developed in the 1920s, in Szeged, Hungary. Where do pepper plants grow? They grow well in raised beds, containers, and in-ground gardens. Plant […]

How Long Do Collard Greens Keep?

Pre-washed and chopped, ready-to-eat, fresh collard greens are also available in the market. MSU Extension recommends storing unwashed greens in moist paper towels and placing in sealed plastic bags in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. They will keep about three to four days. How do you know if collard greens have gone bad? How […]

What Are Mushrooms Made Of?

A mushroom is the reproductive structure produced by some fungi. It is somewhat like the fruit of a plant, except that the “seeds” it produces are in fact millions of microscopic spores that form in the gills or pores underneath the mushroom’s cap. Are mushrooms made of chitin? A mushroom is a fleshy fungus and […]

What Are The Characteristics Of Mushrooms?

Physical Characteristics Most mushrooms have a stalk, also called a stem, and a cap, which is generally disc-shaped. On the underside of the cap — especially in edible species you find at the supermarket — you may see a series of closely spaced slits, called gills; alternatively, this space can be occupied by pores. What […]