World Vegetarian Day is observed annually on 1 October by many nations across the globe (though particularly in Europe), and it invites the population to go veggie for the day.
It was first introduced in 1977 by the North American Vegetarian Society, which wanted to educate people about the many positives of a vegetarian lifestyle such as health benefits, saving animals' lives, and preserving the Earth.
To mark the occasion, we’re taking a look at ten of the most veggie Guinness World Records titles ever achieved.
Most expensive potato sold at auction
The most expensive potato is an exclusive variety of potato bonnottes de Noirmoutier, grown on the island of Noirmoutier, off the west coast of France, which were sold at auction in Paris, France, for £2,000 ($3,050) in April 1996. Grown in a special soil mixed with seaweed, only 20 tons were produced that year. The successful bidder took 4.5 kg (10 lb) of potatoes home with him, worth approximately £33 ($50) each.
Longest carrot
The world's longest carrot measured 5.841 m (19 ft 1.96 in) and was grown by Joe Atherton (UK). The carrot was measured at the UK National Giant Vegetable Championship in Somerset, UK, on 2 September 2007.
Most tomatoes harvested from one plant in one year
The most tomatoes harvested from a single plant in one year weighed 522.464 kg (1151.84 lbs). The tomato plant is at the Epcot Science project at Walt Disney World Company in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA. The harvest started on 24 May 2005 and ended on 20 April 2006.
Oldest vegetarian restaurant
The oldest vegetarian restaurant is Haus Hiltl, founded on 3 July 1898 in Zurich, Switzerland, and managed by the Hiltl family (Switzerland) since 4 July 1904. Haus Hiltl is located in 28 Sihlstrasse and continues to be managed by the fourth generation of the Hiltl family.
The oldest vegetarian restaurant is Haus Hiltl, founded on 3 July 1898 in Zurich, Switzerland, and managed by the Hiltl family (Switzerland) since 4 July 1904. Haus Hiltl is located in 28 Sihlstrasse and continues to be managed by the fourth generation of the Hiltl family.
The eatery and guesthouse was founded on 3 July 1898 by Vegetaria Zurich A.G. under the trade name Vegetarierheim, and established in Stocker-Strasse 57, Zurich. From its inception, as set out in the statute, only vegetarian dishes were prepared. The restaurant moved to 26/28 (currently 28) Sihlstrasse on 22 November 1899, and a new managing director, the German-born Ambrosius Hiltl, was appointed on 15 April 1903. Ambrosius bought the establishment on 4 July 1904, starting a four-generation-long connection with the restaurant, which continues with Marielle and Rolf Hiltl.
Fastest half marathon dressed as a vegetable
The fastest half marathon dressed as a vegetable is 1 hr 25 min 59 sec and was achieved by Ronnie Haynes (UK), dressed as a carrot, at the Plymouth Half Marathon in Plymouth, Devon, UK, on 28 April 2013. Ronnie ran the half marathon to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, a cause close to his heart.
Largest vegetable mosaic
The largest vegetable mosaic measures 1,858.07 m² (20,000 ft²), achieved by Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan and Shah Satnam Ji Green S Welfare Force Wing (both India), at SMG Sports Complex in Dera Sacha Sauda Sirsa, Haryana, India, on 25 March 2014. The mosaic was created to raise awareness of the advantages of eating organic produce, the total weight of vegetables used was 77,723 kg (171,349.88 lb) and included a mixture of cauliflower, beetroot, capsicum, green peas, garlic, green chilli and tomatoes.
Longest vegetarian sausage
The longest vegetarian sausage measured 101 m (331 ft 4 in) and was achieved by Metzgerei Schnitzel e.V. (Germany) in Dusseldorf, Germany, on 8 May 2010. The super-sized sausage was later barbecued entirely in one piece.
Largest piece of tofu
The largest piece of bean curd weighed 3,120 kg (6,878 lb) and was made by Jiange County Government at Jiangmenguan, Sichuan, China on 28 September 2003. The giant bean curd measured 2.2 m (7 ft 2 in) long, 1.2 m (4 ft) wide and 0.9 m (3 ft) high, and was fed to approximately 20,000 people.
Most concerts by a vegetable orchestra
The most concerts performed by a group of musicians playing instruments constructed solely from vegetables is 77, achieved by The Vegetable Orchestra (Austria) in venues worldwide from April 1998 - September 2012.
The group use a wide range of vegetables to produce their unique sounds, including flutes made from carrots and percussion made from pumpkins. Their tours have taken them from their native Austria to perform in countries including China, the USA, Russia, Denmark and the Netherlands.
Heaviest cucumber
Alfred J. Cobb (UK) grew a cucumber weighing 12.4 kg (27 lb 5.3 oz) and presented it at the National Amateur Gardening Show's UK National Giant Vegetables Championship at Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK on 5 September 2003.
The cucumber is a zeppelin variety. Alfie also took 2nd prize with 10.8 kg (23 lb 12.9 oz) cucumber.
