they are a legume and are botanically classified as a seed. While they are used in cooking like a vegetable, they are the edible seeds that grow inside a pod on a plant, similar to other legumes like peas and beans. Root vegetables are plants where the edible part grows underground, such as carrots or potatoes.
Botanical classification: Chickpeas belong to the legume family and are the seeds of the Cicer arietinum plant.
Growth process: The seeds grow inside pods on a bushy plant. When you purchase dried chickpeas, you are buying the fully mature seeds that have been harvested after the plant has dried out.
Comparison to root vegetables: Root vegetables, like carrots or beets, are the swollen, underground roots of the plant, which is a fundamentally different part of the plant from a chickpea seed.
Culinary vs. botanical classification: In cooking, chickpeas are often grouped with vegetables because they are used in many of the same dishes, such as salads, soups, and stews. However, this is a culinary distinction, not a botanical one.
Type
Legume
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