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What we call Root Vegetables aren't actually all roots: the category also includes other strangely named things such as corms, rhizomes and tubers. For instance, a potato isn't a root; it's actually a "tuber." Peanuts are "technically" Root Vegetables, because they are tubers that grow off a rhizome underground, but they are treated as a nut (and so would you be, if you went looking for them next to the parsnips.)

Technically, to be a "true" Root Vegetable, the vegetable should meet two conditions: grow underground and play the role of a root for the plant, absorbing moisture and nutrients from the ground. The following vegetables are examples of true Root Vegetables: Carrots, Horseradish, Radishes, Rutabagas, Parsnips, Salsify, and Turnips. They are actually the taproot of the plant, which is formed from the very first root that the seed put out.

Generally, though, the term is used for any underground part of a plant that we eat. Even though onions and leeks are both related, we would call an onion a Root Vegetable but not a leek, as leeks grow aboveground.

Root Vegetables have never been very fashionable. Throughout history, they were largely seen as peasant food. And no new fans are being won with people applying to Root Vegetables the current fashion of undercooking vegetables: almost all Root Vegetables need to be well cooked, and can't be eaten raw.

Most hearty eaters, though, love their "root veg", as they affectionately refer to them.

Bulbs

Bulbs of a plant that grow underground, as in onions and garlic.

Corms

Corms are underground stems that grow vertically. Celeriac, Eddo, Taro and Water Chestnuts are corms (even though Water Chestnuts grow underwater, not underground.) Corms store starch for the plant.

Rhizomes

Rhizomes are stems that grow horizontally underground. Off of rhizomes grow roots, and the parts of the plant that will appear above ground. Ginger, Galangal, Kratchai, and Turmeric are rhizomes.

Tubers

Tubers are underground stems. They grow in thickness instead of length.

Literature & Lore
Adherents of the Jainism religion do not eat any Root Vegetables, because harvesting them requires killing the whole plant.

Also called:

Other entries for:

Root Vegetables
Añú, Beet, Carrots, Cassava, Celery Root, Crosne, Garlic, Horseradish, Jerusalem Artichokes, Jicama, Konjac Root, Malanga, Oca, Onions, Parsnips, Potatoes, Prairie Turnip, Radishes, Rutabaga, Salsify, Scorzonera, Sea Holly, Swede, Sweet Potatoes, Taro, Turnips, Water Chestnuts, Yacon, Yamagoboo, Yams

Other entries for:

Vegetables
Agave, Artichokes, Asparagus, Brassica Family, Canned Vegetables, Cardoons, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Frozen Vegetables, Gourds, Horseradish Tree, Leafy Vegetables, Lotus, Mixed Vegetables, Mushrooms, Pak Wan, Peas, Peppers, Sago Palm, Seaweed, Spinach, Sprouts, Squash, Tomatoes, Viscous Vegetables