“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.” - Brian O'Driscoll

Michael Ruhlman, the author of the linked tomato article has written a number of terrific books [0]. 'Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking' [0], in particular, might appeal to the crowd here. His blog [1] is worth following by foodies.

[0] https://ruhlman.com/ruhlmans-books/

[1] https://ruhlman.com/

I put oranges and apples in my vegetable salad.

The practical classification seems better than the botanical classification. The botanical definition would also classify peppers, cucumbers, squash, and many other things we consider to be "vegetables" to actually be "fruit".

I think there is a general mental model that works well for diets where fruits are associated with being sweet and vegetables aren't and that vegetables are thought of to be healthier as a result and don't need as much moderation. Though that admittedly falls apart in some instances -- corn, root vegetables, and avocados all need moderated, though two of those are botanically fruit :)

For real fun, look up botanical “berry” (cucumber, eggplant, grape, pumpkin, tomato, fruits of the potato, banana, melon, but not strawberry, raspberry. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berry_(botany). Avocado seems to be an edge case that may be a berry or a drupe)

Similar situation with nuts. Most food items classified as "nuts" -- including many with "nut" in the name -- are botanically not nuts, but seeds, drupes, or legumes. [1]

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nut_(fruit)#Production

> In the 19th century, the US Supreme Court classified the Tomato as a vegetable instead of a fruit.

This is still one of SCOTUS's most controversial decisions, going directly against the intent of the Founding Fathers as shown in Federalist Paper No. 17.

Maybe, but it is fully refuted by Jenkin's deep research, and subsequent paper, into the validity of Federalist Papers, their authors, and their quoters.

A wide variety of vegetables are botanical fruits. I don't understand why that's interesting, or why people only ever talk about how it applies to tomatoes.

My understanding is that "fruit" is a botanical classification, and "vegetable" is a culinary classification. They're not disjoint.

"Although the Tomato is botanically a fruit, not a vegetable"

I do not condone murder. I do not think people should be killed. But man, if one more person says "Tomato is a fruit" - there needs to be consequences. /s

I would genuinely love it if, in the same vein, the question "Is a hotdog a sandwich?" made it to the supreme court.

I would say it depends on whether or not the bun is still connected on one side. I base this on nothing other than the fact that to me it feels correct.

Hero/hoagie/submarine sandwiches aren't sandwiches?

Nope, not unless you cut all the way through. It's not a sandwich unless the filling is between two pieces of bread.

White City Shopping Center, L.P. v. PR Restaurants only made it to Massachusetts Superiour Court, so precident is limited, but it lets us know that a buritto is not a sandwich.

Not from the US but similar: http://www.timcrane.com/jaffa-cakes.html

They never really took off as a hand fruit.

It requires some care but eating a tomato like an apple is quite good. I like eating bell peppers as fruit too