Is a garlic bulb a vegetable or a fruit?

Garlic is a bulbous plant belonging to the Allium family, which also includes onions, leeks, and chives. Unlike fruits or vegetables, garlic is classified as an "herb" or a seasoning because it is not grown from a fruit or vegetable, but rather a bulb or a "corm".

A vegetable is a plant or a part of a plant that is edible and used in cooking or as a side dish. A fruit, on the other hand, is a matured ovary of a plant that contains seeds. Botanically, garlic meets neither of these definitions. Instead, it is a modified stem or underground shoot system called a "bulb".

In summary, garlic is neither a vegetable nor a fruit, but rather an herb or a seasoning. This makes sense, as it is used more for flavoring and seasoning than for its nutritional value or as a standalone dish.