The production and consumption of vegetables and fruit in Gozo

Abstract

Vegetables and fruits are very valuable for their Vitamin and Mineral contents. Vitamin C is available in these foods only. Yet the staple Gozitan diet tends to lack vegetables and fruits. This dissertation attempts to delineate the reasons for this. The importance of vegetables and fruits in the Gozitan diet, their cultivation, production and the factors which influence it, their availability to the Gozitan housewives, and the various vegetables and fruits, consumed in cookery, are investigated, evaluated and discussed. Ways on how to substitute scarce vegetables and fruits, with those in season, and remedies to have them available all the year round, are suggested. Opinions of housewives on the availability of vegetables and fruits, their methods of cooking, and consuming their excess are given. Finally, ways on how the Home Economics teacher can introduce vegetables and fruits in topics, for more effective teaching, are suggested.