Vegetables are edible parts of plants consumed by humans or other animals as food. This includes a wide range of plant parts such as leaves, stems, roots, flowers, fruits, and seeds. Examples include carrots (roots), lettuce (leaves), broccoli (flowers), and beans (seeds)

. Botanically, many foods commonly called vegetables, like tomatoes and cucumbers, are actually fruits because they contain seeds. However, in culinary and cultural contexts, these are often treated as vegetables due to their savory flavor and use in cooking

. Vegetables are important in human nutrition as they are generally low in fat and carbohydrates but rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and other nutrients. They can be eaten raw or cooked and play a key role in a balanced diet, with recommendations often suggesting five or more portions of fruits and vegetables daily

. Historically, vegetables were initially gathered from the wild and later cultivated as agriculture developed around 10,000 to 7,000 BC. Today, vegetables are grown worldwide, ranging from small-scale subsistence farming to large agribusinesses

. In summary, vegetables are the edible parts of plants used as food, encompassing a diverse group of plant tissues important for nutrition and culinary use. They include roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds, and are essential for a healthy diet