Unusual Fruits & Veggies to Try

 

Unusual Fruits & Veggies to Try

 

By:  Fiona Saiter

 

Tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, apples, bananas and oranges are probably a staple in your diet.  Do you get bored eating the same fruits and veggies all the time? Why not spice up your palette by adding some unusual fruits & veggies to your diet.  Here are some different fruits and veggies from around the globe and how you can prepare them.

 

Ugly Fruit:

 

As you probably guessed this fruit is not one of the prettiest but not to worry you don’t eat the skin anyway.  You cut it open and it has sections to eat this sweet and tangy flavored fruit.  Ugly Fruit is from Jamaica and can be added to salads or eaten on its own.

 

Sea Beans:

 

Grown in salt marshes these veggies can be used in a stir fry and are not seen all the time in your grocery store.  Because of the salty taste you don’t need to be careful not to add too much of your own.  You can also add this to salad or eat raw.

 

 

Kumquat:

 

This fruit is shaped like a grape but looks like an orange.  This is different from an orange because you can eat the whole thing.  Simply pop it in your mouth or cut in half.  This little fruit tastes a little bitter and you can remove the seeds if you like.  You could add this to salad or use your imagination.  You could probably convince your child to eat this vitamin c packed fruit in two small bites.

 

Star Fruit:

 

You may have heard of Star Fruit or Carombola or seen its star shape when the fruit is cut up.  You can cut up the whole yellow colored fruit and add it to salads or just show it to your kids, get some ohhs and ahhs and hopefully get them to eat too.  It tastes like a banana and apple and is crunchy and juicy. 

 

Cherimoya: 

 

This tropical fruit is also called a Custard Apple.  It has a green rough skin but on the inside it is shaped like a heart.  Cherimoya is from South Africa but is also grown in California.  Tastes like cross between banana and pineapple.  Simply cut open the Custard Apple open and use a spoon to eat the soft fruit but don’t eat the seeds.

 

Candy Cane Beets:

 

Are milder and smaller than regular beets and are named for the red and white stripes that you see when you cut it open.  It can be steamed, added to salads sautéed or prepared other ways too.

 

Moro Oranges:

 

Are also called Blood Oranges for the dark red or maroon colors that you will see when you cut open the fruit.  It has the orange taste and a subtle raspberry flavor and you can use it like you would an orange, in salads, with meats and even more just use your imagination.

 

 

Chayote Squash:

 

This pear shaped squash is also called Vegetable Pear, Mirliton, or Caribbean.  It can be steamed, roasted, cut up, peeled or grated and the nut inside is edible but you should peel off the skin.  It tastes like a cucumber and zucchini.

 

With a stroll through the produce aisle you will find new and interesting fruits and vegetables and if your feeling adventurous visit a ethnic market for even more unique produce to try and you will find new and interesting ways to get your family to get their vitamins and minerals.