Five Unique Foods You Should Give A Try

When it comes to the food world, there is so much to explore. All around the globe, there are unique fruits, vegetables, and other foods that are native to certain regions many of us aren’t even aware of, but thanks to the access we now have to reach countries far and wide, many of these foods have now started to pop up in specialty stores and even in grocery stores in our own neighborhoods. The best part about eating, too, is the ability to step out of our comfort zones and enjoy various foods we may not have been exposed to before, taking us on a journey to countries without leaving our kitchens! Today, we wanted to share with you five unique foods you may not have enjoyed before that are worth trying!

Sunchokes

Sunchokes, or Jerusalem Artichokes, are root vegetables that are a part of the sunflower! These somewhat resemble ginger thanks to its brown, rough skin, but as Serious Eats notes, you’ll likely find these broken up into smaller pieces at your local grocery store or supermarket. Regarding its flavor profile, sunchokes have a nutty, sweet flavor, similar to raw hazelnuts, and are in season, typically around the fall and spring, when sunflowers can be found. 

Now, you may be wondering what sunchokes are typically used for. Interestingly, sunchokes can be prepared in many ways; you can enjoy them raw, roasted, fried, steamed, made into soups, and more! Even more, sunchokes are quite high in a variety of nutrients like potassium, phosphorus, fiber, and magnesium. Additionally, this root vegetable, while high in natural sugars, is low on the glycemic index and can make an excellent substitute for potatoes for people with diabetes! Be wary, though, that sunchokes contain high sources of inulin, which can cause stomach discomfort - so try not to overeat too many at one time.

Romanesco

One of the most beautiful vegetables you can find, Romanesco is a sight to see. A part of the brassica family that includes broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, and cabbage, Romanesco is believed to have been cultivated by selective breeding by Italian farmers in 16th century Italy. Fun fact: this vegetable uniquely enough follows the same pattern as Fibonacci sequences, as seen by its complex and mesmerizing appearance! 

When it comes to eating Romanesco, you’ll notice its similarities to its broccoli cousin. Romanesco can be made into a variety of dishes, including eaten roasted, chopped into florets, and steamed, substituted for cauliflower in recipes, eaten as a salad, and much more! 

Salsify

Salsify, sounds like the name of a song, right? Well, this root vegetable is not quite a song but a unique and worthwhile food you should try. Salsify is a member of the dandelion family, uniquely enough, and has a bit of an oyster flavor when cooked (perfect for oyster lovers!). These vegetables look similar to a long, thin parsnip and have thick skin with creamy white flesh, and come in two different varieties: black salsify and white salsify. Additionally, salsify is very healthy for you; this root vegetable contains large amounts of vitamin C, iron, thiamin, calcium, phosphorous, and fiber!

While you can enjoy salsify on its own, there are also numerous ways you can prepare it for your next meal. This root vegetable can be baked, steamed, boiled, baked, braised, and more, and it can even be served in salads or as a side to meat, fish, or poultry dishes!

Cherimoya

Cherimoya, also known as the custard apple, is a unique fruit worth trying for yourself. Originating from the Andes mountains of South America, cherimoya is a sweet treat that is often chilled like custard and eaten with a spoon (hence the name ‘custard apple’!). The fruit is reminiscent of many tropical fruits and is very healthy for you! In fact, cherimoya is high in antioxidants, is a mood booster thanks to its high vitamin B6 content, can support eye health, reduce and prevent high blood pressure, helps fight inflammation in the body, and so much more!

While cherimoya is typically eaten alone with a spoon, there are a variety of ways you can enjoy the fruit that can help make mealtime more enjoyable! For instance, cherimoya can be made into delicious salad dressings, added to salsas, made into parfaits and smoothies, or even baked into a cobbler or tart!‍

Feijoa

Last but certainly not least on our list of notable unique foods to try is feijoa! Feijoa, also known as Pineapple guava, is a sweet fruit that is native to Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina! Its flavor and texture profile is similar to that of guava and has become a delicacy in countries all around the world, thanks to its health properties as well as its wide ability to create a variety of different dishes. For instance, feijoa can be used to make fritters, dumplings, tarts, puddings, ice cream, jams, pickles, and even sparkling wine!
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Even more, feijoa is considered an extremely healthy fruit; in traditional medicine, feijoa tree leaves were made into a tea and used to treat cholera and dysentery, and it has been found that feijoa is known to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties within the fruit. Additionally, this fruit has been seen to have anticancer properties, can help to protect against IBD (or inflammatory bowel disease), and can even help to promote healthy weight maintenance.