Vegetables are parts of plants that are consumed by humans or other animals as food. The original meaning is still commonly used and is applied to plants collectively to refer to all edible plant matter, including the flowers, fruits, stems, leaves, roots, and seeds.
Find below the list of Vegetables In South Africa
Amaranth
An extremely variable herbaceous plant growing from 30 cm to 2 m high. The young leaves, growth points and whole seedlings are used as a vegetable. Seeds are cooked like a grain, ground to flour and dried.
Leaves and stems are ground and used as snuff. Of all the ‘weeds’ that are also considered leafy vegetables in South Africa, amaranth has the greatest potential as a commercial crop.
Spider Plant
A herbaceous plant with hairy leaves and stems, spider plant’s leaves are compound – like fingers on a hand – and used when young. Sometimes bitter, it is can be cooked in milk with tomatoes and served like spinach, adding a sharp taste to the dish.
Corchorus Species
Commonly known as Jew’s Mallow (Corchorus olitorius and Corchorus tridens) this plant is an annual herb with tiny yellow flowers. Cooked corchorus has a slimy texture, similar to okra. To reduce the sliminess bicarbonate of soda (or even cow urine) are added to the cooking water.
Nightshade
Nightshade is a herbaceous plant growing up 75 cm high and is also known for its small, shiny, purple-black fruit, which can be eaten fresh but is often used in jams. The green fruit is poisonous. Leaves and young shoots are cooked but leaves can also be eaten raw.
Pumpkins and Bitter Melon
The leaves of pumpkins and bitter melons (Citrullus lanatus) are used as leafy vegetables. Members of the Cucurbitaceae family, these plants are vine-like and sprawling and therefore often used to control weeds when cultivated. Also, wild-harvested, the leaves, shoots, flowers and young fruits are cooked while the roasted seeds are popular as a snack.
Cowpeas
The cowpea plant is a leaf and pulse crop that is indigenous to Africa. Both the fresh leaves and the ‘seeds’ are eaten as vegetables, whereas the entire plant is used as animal fodder, either fresh or as hay or silage. Cowpea flour is used in baking as well as the processed meat industry such as in chicken nuggets. Cowpeas are high in protein (18 to 35%) and carbohydrate (50 to 65%) and B vitamins.
Amadumbe
What veggies are in season now South Africa?
Guide: Seasonal fruit and vegetables in South Africa
Spring – September, October, November. Apples. Avocados. Bananas.
November. Apricots. Artichokes. Blackberries.
Summer – December, January, February. Apricots. Artichokes.
Autumn – March, April, May. Apples. Aubergines or Eggplants.
Winter – June, July, August. Apples. Asparagus.
What is the most popular vegetable in South Africa?
Beets
The cultivated form of the plant Beta vulgaris of the goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae) is one of the most important vegetables.
Beets are very common, popular crop in Southern Africa.
Two niche markets in the fresh market beet arena are: (i) Baby round beets for both the local and export markets.
What are all vegetable’s names?
Vegetable Names in English
carrot.
broccoli.
asparagus.
cauliflower.
corn.
cucumber.
eggplant.
green pepper.
Which vegetables grow in winter in South Africa?
The best vegetables to grow in Winter in South Africa
Green onions. In case you are wondering about what vegetables to plant in winter in South Africa, why not start with onions.
Garlic. Garlic is one of the easiest to plant winter vegetables.
Peas.
Spring onions.
Perpetual spinach.
What is the most profitable crop in South Africa?
Macadamia nuts are hard to beat when it comes to the most lucrative crop per land area used in South Africa. According to statistics from the SA Macadamia Growers’ Association (Samac), the average export price for macadamia kernels in 2017 was R224.