{"id":50820,"date":"2023-07-01T08:23:22","date_gmt":"2023-07-01T05:23:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gnhm.gr\/e-nature-fruits-and-vegetables-we-plant-broccoli\/"},"modified":"2025-08-11T13:19:47","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T10:19:47","slug":"e-nature-fruits-and-vegetables-we-plant-broccoli","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gnhm.gr\/en\/announcements\/e-nature-fruits-and-vegetables-we-plant-broccoli\/","title":{"rendered":"e-NATURE: Fruits and vegetables -We plant Green Beans"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

Fruits and vegetables<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

GREEN BEANS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

One of the most popular summer vegetables, not only in our diet, but also in
\nliterature and life! Jack and the Beanstalk is a well known fairy tale, and
\nyou’ ve certainly heard the saying &quot;a bean fills a bean bag!&quot;
\nGreen beans are eaten in salads but also as an oily tomato based vegetarian
\ndish!
\nThey are rich in vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, minerals and proteins and are
\nideal for those who watch their diet, as they are low in calories (90% water)!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

THE SECRETS OF GREEN BEANS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Its origins are from America and \u201ctravelled\u201d to Greece in the middle of the
\n17th century
\n\u2022 Some varieties of beans give us dry beans, such as \u201cgiant beans\u201d (called
\ngigantes in Greek) and black-eyed beans!<\/p>\n

Click the photo below, adjust its size, print it, use your scissors in order to cut the outline and stick this label on a wooden stick from an ice cream! Then put the stick in the soil next to the beans you planted! <\/strong><\/span>This way, you will know which plant it is<\/strong>, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

………………………………………………………………………………………………….<\/span><\/p>\n

Melon<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The melon Cucumis melo, is one of the most well-known and beloved
\nsummer fruits. The word melon can refer to either the plant or specifically to
\nthe fruit. Botanically, a melon is a kind of berry, specifically a &quot;pepo&quot;. The fruit
\nof the melon plant is related to cucumber, zucchini, squash and watermelon,
\nbelonging to the very large family of Cucurbitaceae
\nThere are many varieties of melons, which differ in:
\n\u2022 shape: round or oval,
\n\u2022 skin: thick or thin,
\n\u2022 color of the skin: yellow or greenish,
\n\u2022 skin surface: smooth or striated,
\n\u2022 fleshy part: solid, juicy, soft or hard
\n\u2022 color of the flesh: off-white, yellow, or orange.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

THE SECRETS OF MELON<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • \uf0b7 Melons originated in Africa, or hot valleys of Asia, Iran and India.\uf0b7 Melons were among the first crop species in ancient times. It is
    \nknown that melons have been grown by the ancient Egyptians
    \n(with references from 2,400 BC)
    \n\uf0b7 Ancient Greeks and Romans cultivated melons in the whole
    \nMediterranean, while Columbus brought them to America, in
    \n1492.
    \n\uf0b7 Melon is considered a luxury item and is usually offered as a gift
    \nin Japan
    \n\uf0b7 The two most famous types of melon in Greece are: the banana
    \nmelon (with yellowish skin and round shape) and the one grown
    \nin Argos \u2013 a place in the Peloponnese, hence its name Argo
    \nmelon (having a very long and narrow shape, with strong ridges)
    \n\uf0b7 When someone has a long and narrow skull, Greeks call him\/her
    \nArgo melon headed
    \n\uf0b7 One can roast its seeds and eat them as passatembo (pumpkin
    \nseeds)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Click the photo below, adjust its size, print it, use your scissors in order to cut the outline and stick this label on a wooden stick from an ice cream! Then put the stick in the soil next to the melon you planted! <\/strong><\/span>This way, you will know which plant it is<\/strong>, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

    ………………………………………………………………………………………………….<\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Watermelon<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Watermelon, a cousin of melon and squash, is a type of climber plant,
    \noccuring in large varieties.
    \nKnown since ancient times, watermelon has a huge fruit, which inside is red
    \ncolored, has a sweet taste and many small black seeds. Its very thick and
    \ntough skin is green colored, often streaked with darker green on the outer
    \nlayer, while it is white on the inner part.
    \nThe weight of a watermelon can reach several kilograms.
    \nChina is the country with the largest production of watermelon in the world.
    \nIn Greece, watermelon ripens during summertime and is considered as the
    \nmost refreshing summer fruit! We relish it in … large slices or in fruit salads.
    \nWe can also put it in a blender and make a nice watermelon juice!
    \nIn several parts of Greece, the white part of the watermelon is used to make
    \nsyrup watermelon sweet!<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    THE SECRETS OF WATERMELON<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Watermelon contains sugar by 6 – 8%, but mainly water by 91%. Like many other fruits, it contains vitamin C.<\/li>\n
    • Very often people check to see if a watermelon is good to buy by tapping it lightly around the middle: they say that if the watermelon makes a &quot;hollow&quot; sound it is a proof of good quality, otherwise it is not ripe.<\/li>\n
    • In many open street markets in Greece, during summer, one can hear the seller of watermelons shouting &quot;I stab them all&quot;. Meaning that he has the intention to cut a piece of the watermelon, so that the potential buyer can see the good quality of the watermelon.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Click the photo below, adjust its size, print it, use your scissors in order to cut the outline and stick this label on a wooden stick from an ice cream! Then put the stick in the soil next to the watermelon you planted! <\/strong><\/span>This way, you will know which plant it is<\/strong>, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

      ………………………………………………………………………………………………….<\/span><\/p>\n

      Egglpant<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      Known since ancient times, it is said eggplant\u2019s origin is Indian. Its fruit occurs
      \nin various shades of purple, from very dark ones (called flaska), to white (the
      \nSantorini ones). Eggplant has an oblong shape and a fleshy texture with many
      \nseeds. It is very tasty- it is used in many Mediterranean dishes. Especially
      \nduring summer, greek tavernas serve several traditional dishes, from eggplant
      \nsalad and fried eggplants, to the world famous moussaka!
      \nChina has the largest world production of eggplant, followed by India and
      \nTurkey. In Europe, the first country in eggplant production is Italy, followed by
      \nSpain and Greece.
      \nHalf of Greek eggplant is grown in Crete!<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

      THE SECRETS OF EGGPLANT<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • \u00a0\u201cTsakonian\u201d eggplants (grown in the Peloponese) are particularly well-known in Greece: they are long-shaped, narrow,purple with whitestripes and very tasty<\/li>\n
      • Because eggplants are long and narrow, when we fill it with minced meatand cover it with b\u00e9chamel sauce, we call it a “small shoe”(papoutsaki)<\/li>\n
      • In Greece, an eggplant festival is organized during summer in Leonidio,
        \nwhere visitors can try many eggplant recipes!<\/li>\n
      • \u00a0In the Peloponese, one can even try sweet eggplant in syrup!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Click the photo below, adjust its size, print it, use your scissors in order to cut the outline and stick this label on a wooden stick from an ice cream! Then put the stick in the soil next to the eggplant you planted! <\/strong><\/span>This way, you will know which plant it is<\/strong>, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

        ………………………………………………………………………………………………….<\/span><\/p>\n

        Spinach<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        \"\"<\/p>\n

        One of the most delicious and popular leafy vegetables!<\/p>\n

        Spinach flavors our dishes and can be eaten raw in salads, or in recipes with pasta, rice, vegetables, meat, cuttlefish and of course…in the well known Greek dishes: spinach pie and spinach rice!<\/p>\n

        It has a high nutritional value and is rich in vitamins and antioxidants<\/p>\n

        \"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        THE SECRETS OF SPINACH<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        • It firstly appeared in China around 700 BC, as a gift to the emperor from the king of Nepal!<\/li>\n
        • Belongs to the same family with beets, quinoa and chard<\/li>\n
        • Spinach has a high iron content and is thus ideal for patients with anemia<\/li>\n
        • Due to its neutral taste, it matches well with all kinds of food!<\/li>\n
        • It helps in the good functioning of the intestine and strengthens our immune system<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Click the photo below, adjust its size, print it, use your scissors in order to cut the outline and stick this label on a wooden stick from an ice cream! Then put the stick in the soil next to the spinach you planted! <\/strong><\/span>This way, you will know which plant it is<\/strong>, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

          ………………………………………………………………………………………………….<\/span><\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n

          Lettuce<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/p>\n

          Lettuce is used as a synonym for money. We say “is there any lettuce?”, asking whether there is money involved. Also, when we want to describe one who spends money without thinking, we say “he spreads money just like lettuce leaves”.<\/p>\n

          It is the best known green, fresh vegetable – we eat its big leaves.<\/p>\n

          Lettuce is eaten raw, alone or in salads, usually matched very well together with spring onion and dill.<\/p>\n

          In Greece we also eat it cooked in lamb dishes, or in stew during Easter time (called mageritsa).<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

          Lettuce\u2019s secrets<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

          It is a very well known vegetable since ancient times \u2013 was used in Greece and several other countries.<\/p>\n

          It derives from Asia. There are many varieties today, from the simple, common lettuce – what we call romana – there is a French variety, iceberg, lola, Chinese, and other lettuces, that come in various colors, from dark green to red, transforming our salads to colorful dishes.<\/p>\n

          Lettuce contains a lot of water and small amounts of fiber. Its most important nutrients are vitamin A and potassium. Lettuce is also a source of vitamin C, calcium and iron.<\/p>\n

          \u2026.and lettuce\u2019s label!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

          Click the photo below, adjust its size, print it, use your scissors in order to cut the outline and stick this label on a wooden stick from an ice cream! Then put the stick in the soil next to the lettuce you planted!\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>This way, you will know which plant it is<\/strong>, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

          ………………………………………………………………………………………………….<\/span><\/p>\n

          BROCCOLI<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/p>\n

          It really looks like a tiny tree and is the cauliflower \u201ccousin\u201d!
          \nBroccoli is one of the tastiest and healthiest winter vegetables. It can be eaten
          \nraw or boiled in salads, pickled, in velout\u00e9 vegetable soups, even \u201cau gratin\u201d!<\/p>\n

          Having a rich nutritional value it is beneficial for our health and ideal for those
          \nwho choose a low calorie diet!<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

          Broccoli\u2019s secrets<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
          • The name broccoli is Italian, meaning the flowering top of a cabbage.<\/li>\n
          • It belongs to the same family as cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels
            \nsprouts!<\/li>\n
          • The green \u201ctree shaped\u201d part we eat is not the broccoli\u2019s fruit, but its
            \nflower!<\/li>\n
          • It\u2019s an Italian vegetable, known since the Roman Empire!<\/li>\n
          • One cup of broccoli has as much vitamin C as one orange!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            \u2026.and broccoli\u2019s label!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

            Click the photo below, adjust its size, print it, use your scissors in order to cut the outline and glue this label on a wooden stick from an ice cream! Then put the stick in the soil next to the broccoli you planted! <\/strong><\/span>This way, you will know which plant it is<\/strong>, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

            \n

            Cauliflower<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

            \"\"<\/p>\n

            One of the most popular vegetables, cauliflower is planted in the summer in order to enjoy it in the winter! We could say that cauliflower is broccoli\u2019s\u2026 \u201ccousin\u201d!<\/p>\n

            It can be eaten in many different ways: raw, combined with other vegetables, boiled as a salad with lemon or vinegar dressing, au gratin, in soups, cooked with tomato sauce or even pickled!<\/p>\n

            Lately, it is becoming increasingly popular as pizza crust, instead of dough!<\/p>\n

            It has high nutritional value and plenty of health benefits! It is also perfect for people who are on a weight loss diet, since it has very few calories!<\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

            \"\"<\/p>\n

            Cauliflower\u2019s secrets<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            • We eat the white part of it, which is actually the plant\u2019s flower!<\/li>\n
            • It comes from Eastern Mediterranean countries, and people also referred to it in ancient Greece and Egypt.<\/li>\n
            • It belongs to the same family of broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts!<\/li>\n
            • The less we cook it\u2026the better, as it retains higher nutritional value!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              \u2026.and cauliflower\u2019s label!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

              Click the photo below, adjust its size, print it, use your scissors in order to cut the outline and stick this label on a wooden stick from an ice cream! Then put the stick in the soil next to the cauliflower you planted! <\/strong><\/span>This way, you will know which plant it is<\/strong>, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n

              \n

               <\/p>\n

              LEEK<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n

              \"\"<\/p>\n

              A very tasty vegetable, complimenting many Greek dishes. The most
              \ndistinctive characteristic of the leek is its green and oblong leaves!<\/p>\n

              It can be saut\u00e9ed in a pan and consumed plain or paired with bread, or even
              \nin an omelet! It is also included in several Greek dishes cooked with olive oil,
              \nsuch as spinach – rice, leek – rice, peas or green beans\u2026<\/p>\n

              Leek is a perfect ingredient for winter soups, tarts and pies – it\u2019s smoothly
              \ncombined with minced meat, chicken and bacon!<\/p>\n

              It is rich in vitamins A, B , C and K and has many health benefits!<\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n

              \"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

              Leek\u2019s secrets<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n