Yes, onions and garlic are vegetables.
While some vegetarian and vegan diets exclude them, this is based on cultural or religious beliefs, not on the fact that they are animal products. These beliefs often center around the idea that onions and garlic are considered to stimulate the passions (rajas) in some Buddhist sects, or that they are "Tamasik" foods in Ayurvedic traditions, meaning they are associated with inertia and dullness. However, scientifically and botanically, onions and garlic are unequivocally plants.
Many recipes and culinary traditions worldwide heavily feature onions and garlic as key ingredients in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Examples include:
- Mirepoix: A classic French culinary base of onions, carrots, and celery.
- Vegetable stock: Commonly made with onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and herbs.
- Ginger garlic fried rice: A popular dish utilizing onions and garlic amongst many vegetables.
The fact that some cultural or religious practices avoid them does not change their botanical classification. They are members of the Allium genus, a family that also includes leeks, shallots, and chives. The commonality of these plants in vegetarian cooking, as demonstrated by numerous recipes, also confirms their vegetable status.
Therefore, the assertion that onions and garlic are non-vegetarian is inaccurate. Their exclusion from certain diets is a matter of belief and practice, not of scientific classification.
