Hello everyone! Today, I want to share something that, although it may seem confusing, is actually very interesting: the different names that vegetables have in various countries.
Avocado vs. Palta
In many countries, it's known as avocado, but in others, especially Argentina, Chile, and Peru, it's called palta. This fact surprised me greatly, since fruit names generally tend to be the same.
Camote vs. Boniato
Another interesting case is the sweet potato, which in some countries like Cuba and Spain is known as boniato. This tuber is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile—it can be used to make sweets and desserts, but it's also a great side dish for savory meals. In Latin America, it's common to eat it fried, boiled, or even mashed.
Fun fact: In addition to "camote" and "boniato," it's also called batata in other places. In Japan, for example, satsumaimo is a variety of sweet potato that is highly prized in traditional cuisine.
Corn vs. Elote
Corn is another food with multiple names depending on the region. In Mexico and Central America, it is known as elote when fresh and on the cob. However, when the kernels have been dried and processed, it is called maize. In some South American countries, it is also called choclo.
Fun fact: Maize has been a fundamental crop in ancient American civilizations. The Mayans and Aztecs considered it a sacred food and a staple of their diet. Today, it remains one of the most consumed grains in the world.
Conclusion
The linguistic diversity in the world of vegetables is fascinating. Sometimes, names change due to cultural or historical influences or even differences in the varieties of each food.
Thank you very much for reading my article! These are just a few examples of how vegetable names vary across different countries. I'm sure there are many more, but these are some of the ones I knew. See you next time!