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French Beans

French beans are related to broad beans and a member of the Legume family. This name encompasses a range of green beans, including the snap bean and bobby bean. Their long green fleshy pods are at their best before they become stringy. They may be cooked whole, or chopped.

Celeriac

Celeriac was developed from celery and is known as turnip-rooted celery. It is knobbly with a patchy brown and white skin and has a similar but less pronounced flavour than celery. Celeriac contains useful amounts of fibre, Vitamin C and folic acid. It can be eaten raw or

Beetroot

Beetroot has been eaten since Roman times and by the mid-nineteenth Century it had become a very popular vegetable. Beetroot is usually boiled, baked, braised or pickled in vinegar. Red beetroot originated from Beta vulgaris, which is a native of Southern Europe. A

Aubergine

Aubergines originated in South Asia and the first mention of their cultivation is in China in 5 BC. The Moorish invaders introduced the aubergine to Spain and it was first mainly grown in Andalusia. From Spain its cultivation quickly spread into Italy and other Southern and

Peppers

Sweet peppers are native to South America. Peppers and chillies are both members of the capsicum family. To distinguish between them, peppers are called sweet peppers, bell peppers and even bullnose peppers. Find out everything you need to know about Peppers from Bord Bia,

Rhubarb

Rhubarb is a very old plant – its medicinal and horticulture uses were recorded in ancient China. It is known in some countries as “pie plant” and is prized for its use in pies, tarts and sauces. Only the petioles (stalks) are eaten (some compounds within the leaves can be

Carrot

After potatoes, carrots are without doubt the best-known and most popular root vegetable of all. The carrots we eat today were developed from the wild carrot but until the Middle Ages carrots eaten in this country were purple – orange carrots were imported from Holland in

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts belong to the Brassica family and have a distinctive "love or hate" flavour. They are believed to have originated in Flanders (part of modern day Belgium) in the Middle Ages. They are similar in nature to miniature cabbages growing in concentric rows on a

Asparagus

Asparagus has a relatively short growing season. When buying, the tips should be tightly furled and fresh looking, and the stalks fresh and straight. If the stalks are badly scarred or drooping they shouldn’t be purchased.Before use cut off the bottom of the stalk as it is

Potatoes

Potatoes were an important food for Peruvians for thousands of years and were introduced to Europe by the Spaniards in the 16th Century. The potato is the most popular of all vegetables. Find out everything you need to know about Potatoes from Bord Bia, The Irish Food Board.

Apples

Apples were one of the first fruit crops cultivated by man. They are an extremely popular and versatile fruit with many varieties suited to growing conditions in various climates. Apples can be cooked or eaten raw. They contain useful amounts of dietary fibre and Vitamin C.

Bramley Apples

Apples have been grown in Ireland for at least 3,000 years. Indeed, St. Patrick is said to have planted a number of apple trees in Ireland, including one at Ceangoba, a settlement close to where Armagh is now situated. Early monastic records tell us that the monks were

Blackcurrants

Wild blackcurrants are found throughout most of Central and Continental Europe and Central Asia.They are naturally fat free and a source of Vitamin C and fibre. They can be used in jams, desserts and home baking. Find out everything you need to know about Blackcurrants

Gooseberries

Gooseberries derive their name from their traditional use to make a sauce to accompany goose. The tart flavour of the berry compensates for the natural fattiness of goose meat. Gooseberries are native to Europe and North Africa and have been cultivated for centuries. Find

Blueberry

Blueberries are a member of the acid-soil loving heather family. They are native to the Eastern US seaboard but are now commercially grown world-wide. They are a juicy fruit with tiny seeds and a colourless juice, they have no stalk so there is no waste. Find out everything