With the exceptions of peas and broad beans, fruit vegetables
are warm-season crops, and with the exception of sweet corn and
peas, all are subject to chilling injury. Fruit vegetables are
not generally adaptable to long-term storage. Exceptions are the
hard rind (winter) squashes and pumpkin. A useful classification
for postharvest discussion of the fruit vegetables is based on
the stage of maturity at harvest. This presents an overview of
the general postharvest requirements and handling systems for
this group of commodities. Legumes: snap, lima, and other beans,
snow pea, sugar snap and garden peas Cucurbits: cucumber, soft
rind squashes, chayote, bitter melon, luffa Solanaceous
vegetables: eggplant, peppers, tomatillo Others such as okra and
sweet corn Cucurbits: cantaloupe, honeydew, and other
muskmelons; watermelon, pumpkin, hard-rind squashes Solanaceous
vegetables: mature green and vine-ripe tomatoes, ripe peppers
The harvest index for most immature fruit vegetables is based
principally on size and co