Is a jalapeno pepper a vegetable or fruit?

A jalapeño pepper is botanically classified as a fruit. Here’s why:

1. Botanical Definition of a Fruit:

In botanical terms, a fruit is the mature ovary of a flower, typically containing seeds.

Since jalapeños develop from the flower of the pepper plant and contain seeds, they meet the criteria for being a fruit.

2. Culinary Classification:

In the kitchen, jalapeños are typically treated as a vegetable because they are used in savory dishes, much like other peppers, tomatoes, or cucumbers.

Culinary classification is based on flavor and usage, so jalapeños are often grouped with vegetables in cooking.

Conclusion:

Botanically, a jalapeño is a fruit, but in everyday culinary use, it is considered a vegetable.