They were first recorded in Europe in 1591.Ĭabbages are native to southern Europe. They became popular in England in the 17th century.īutter beans are native to Central America. They may have been grown in the Middle Ages but the first written description of them was in 1587. It’s not certain when Brussels sprouts were first grown. It first became popular in the USA in the 1920s. Broccoli was introduced into England in the 18th century.

It was certainly eaten in France and Italy in the 16th century. The Romans ate a vegetable that may have been broccoli. It is not known for certain when broccoli was first eaten.

They were known to the Ancient Greeks and they have been eaten in Europe ever since. From the 16th century, people in Europe grew beetroot as a vegetable.īroad beans are native to the Middle East and South Asia. The Romans grew beetroot but as a medicine rather than a food. Later they spread to China and by the 15th century, they were being grown in southern Europe.īeetroot is descended from wild sea beet, which grew around Europe and Asia. Asparagus was grown by the Greeks and Romans and it became a popular vegetable in Europe in the 16th century.Īubergines or eggplants are native to India. From there artichokes spread to the rest of Europe.Īsparagus is native to the Eastern Mediterranean region. However, after the fall of Rome artichokes were rare in Europe until the 15th century when they were grown in Italy. They were eaten by the Greeks and Romans and later by the Arabs. Artichokes are native to the Mediterranean.

The History of Veggies by Mary Lee