FoodFood InformationVegetables
The tropical vegetables used to be available only in areas that had large
Hispanic populations. Today, thanks to the increased popularity of Mexican
cuisine and Mexican restaurants, tropical vegetables are readily available
in the larger supermarkets.
Words like taco, tortilla, tamale, enchilada, chili con came, guacamole,
and gazpacho have entered our vocabulary. It is only a matter of time before
the names of the tropical vegetables enjoyed by Latin Americans will also
have common usage. Words like calabazo, chayote, jicama, nopales, plaintain,
yammi, yautia, and yucca are appearing in recipes in magazines and newspapers.
Just as avocados, mangoes, kiwis, and papayas were sold only as curios fifty
years ago and today are available in ample supply in most food markets,
tropical vegetables may soon enjoy the same consumer acceptance.
All tropical vegetables are available twelve months of the year depending
on geographical location and demand.