Vegetable bouquet

A vegetable bouquet is a collection of vegetables in a creative arrangement. Vegetable bouquets are often considered as an alternative to flower bouquets. Vegetable bouquets can be handheld or can be used for the interior decoration. They are often given as a gift for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, or romantic dates. They are also occasionally used in weddings. Vegetable bouquets that contain fruit, flowers and other vegetation in addition to vegetables are commonly referred to as vegebouquets.

Red long bouquet with chili and broccoli
A contemporary vegetable bouquet made of chili pepper and broccoli
An advertisement by the U.S. National Institutes of Health

History

The idea of creating beautiful arrangements of vegetables before consuming them is not new. For example, George Augustus Henry Sala describes a sophisticated housekeeper in the 19th century London: "She would be just the person for the upper end of Sloane Street. She has a neat hand for cutting vegetable bouquets out of carrots, turnips and parsnips for garnishing."[1]

Since the 20th century, numerous attempts have been made to use vegetable bouquets to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise the nutrition consciousness of the population.[2][3]

Nowadays, the art of creating vegetable bouquets is much more accessible with numerous online courses available for vegetable bouquet designers.[4][5]

Wedding vegetable bouquets

In recent years, vegetable bouquets have gained some popularity as an alternative to traditional flower bouquets in weddings. Kale, broccoli, and artichokes are becoming increasingly popular in wedding vegetable bouquets.[6]

Comparison to flower bouquets

Most of the ingredients of a vegetable bouquet can be consumed after dismantling the bouquet[7] as opposed to flower bouquets which ingredients can be either thrown away, dried, or used as a compost. Some companies offer completely zero-waste versions of vegetable bouquets so that all of the ingredients can be consumed or re-used.

Similar to flowers, vegetable bouquets can be arranged to form a wreath.[8]

Vegetable bouquets are usually heavier than flower bouquets, which makes it difficult to handhold them for longer periods of time.

References
  1. Sala, George Augustus Henry (1883). Dutch pictures, with some sketches in the Flemish manner: And, Pictures done with a quill. London: Vizetelly & co. p. 70.
  2. Ida, Jaqua; Spikings, Katherine (1979). "Raising a new consciousness [nutrition education, California]". Nutrition News (USA).
  3. "Sial spotlight on fruit and veg consumption". The Grocer. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  4. Gundry, Addie (16 Mar 2016). "How to Make a Bouquet...Out of Vegetables". Martha Stewart. Retrieved 17 Mar 2017.
  5. "How to Make a Vegetable Bouquet". Blue Apron. Retrieved 17 Mar 2017.
  6. Jamieson, Sophie (30 Oct 2015). "Kale, broccoli and cabbage replace traditional flowers as brides opt for vegetable wedding bouquets". The Telegraph. Retrieved 17 Mar 2017.
  7. Gladwell, Hattie (16 Nov 2016). "These one-of-a-kind fruit and vegetable bouquets are beautifully striking". Metro. Retrieved 17 Mar 2017.
  8. Rogers, Juliette (1999). Growing & Using Chives: Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin A-225. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing. pp. 30–31. ISBN 9781603423472.
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