While garlic grows underground, it's not actually a root vegetable. It's a bulb, which is a modified stem used by the plant to store food. Garlic belongs to the Allium genus, which includes onions, leeks, chives, and shallots.
It's easy to see why some people might mistake garlic for a root vegetable. After all, root vegetables like carrots and potatoes also grow underground. However, there are some key differences.
- Root vegetables are the actual roots of the plant, while bulbs are modified stems.
- Root vegetables typically have a long, tapered shape, while bulbs are usually round or oval.
So, while garlic is a tasty and versatile ingredient, it's not a root vegetable. It's a bulb, just like its cousins, onions, leeks, chives, and shallots.
