Want to see something new like unusual vegetables in your vegetable garden? Then you're in for a surprise with these weird-looking, exotic vegetables for a whole new level of vegetable gardening experience!
Take Gardening To A New Level With Unusual Vegetables
One of the perks of vegetable gardening is getting acquainted with all sorts of vegetables. From the unusual-looking to the unusual-tasting, some of these veggies are downright strange. It's easy to think this way about vegetables that are not native to your area. Take these unusual vegetables, for example. While they are weird-looking to you, they may be common to others. However, these weird and unusual vegetables will both amuse and inspire you to get creative!
1. Dipper Gourd
With gourds being such a large family of all shapes, sizes, and colors, it seems there will be no end to their surprises. And the dipper gourd isn't even the last of it. This exotic vegetable got its name from its hard exterior, which can be cut and crafted to resemble a ladle.
2. Snake Gourd
See what I mean about the gourd family? This exotic vegetable is straight-on weird. A snake-shaped vegetable dangling from a trellis can even be mistaken for a real snake. But don't be put off by the shape, its taste and preparation are very similar to summer squash.
3. Yardlong Beans
Beans are another complex family of interesting and varied members. Take this yardlong bean for example, which also goes by the name long bean or string bean. The length of this variety might intrigue you, but the taste is not far from bush beans.
4. Winged Beans
Now, this is one bean variety which I can really say different from the rest. The unique angled shape earned it the name four-cornered beans or four-angled beans. It's quite an underrated vegetable because it's nutritious and most of the plant parts are edible.
5. Kohlrabi
Although kohlrabi is a member of the cool season brassica vegetables, it has not achieved the same recognition as cabbage and broccoli. It's pretty unusual with the leaf stems growing out of what looks like a root part. But it's actually a swollen stem which tastes much like the stem of broccoli and cauliflower.
6. Black Radish
Radishes come in a wide range of colors, from white to red and even orange. But have you ever seen a black radish? The black skin and the white flesh is a striking contrast, giving a dish an interesting color and texture. This will make an intriguing change in both your vegetable garden and dishes.
7. Moringa Fruit
Moringa is making headlines for its proven health benefits. Although moringa is mostly valued for its leaves, the long slender fruit is surprisingly edible. It is used in many parts of the world as a vegetable, with the young fruits prepared much like you would green beans.
8. Chayote
Chayote is also a gourd vegetable variety with a slightly different structure. It is a pear-shaped vegetable but lacks the numerous seeds found in its counterparts. It has a single, large and flattened pit which is edible.
9. Bitter Gourd
No need to describe its taste any further. It is plain bitter and tastes nothing like any other gourd, except perhaps for the silk gourd. You either hate it or love it and if you ask me, I think I can tolerate it. I've sampled it in an egg omelet and it gave the eggs a different but interesting flavor.
10. Banana Flower
Of course, there are edible flowers, but did you ever consider banana flowers? And like most of the entries here, they're a common vegetable in the tropics which are prepared much like you would artichokes. This is one exotic vegetable to try sometime.
11. Bamboo Shoots
Although canned bamboo shoots are found in grocery stores, a lot of people still find it a weird and exotic vegetable. It doesn't have a distinctive taste, however, it can even be considered bland. But it's enjoyed and valued for its crisp and tender texture which is comparable to asparagus.
12. Belgian Endive
What makes Belgian endive unusual is how differently it grows from other leafy vegetables. These vegetables can be bitter but the whiter the color, the less bitter-tasting it is. It has to be specially grown underground to keep it from turning green and opening up.
13. Jicama Root Vegetable
Jicama is also called Mexican turnip but they are widely grown in tropical areas around the world. It has a starchy, flat, apple-like taste when eaten raw, and it is also good in stews or stir-fries. Growing jicama in a vegetable garden with a short growing season will not do as it requires a warm temperature to germinate.
14. Achocha Fat Babies
Achocha fat babies, also a member of the gourd group, looks like it belongs more in a Martian garden than a human one! What's amazing and unusual about this vegetables is that it simply tastes like cucumber when eaten young and raw. But it can be used as a substitute for green peppers when used for cooking.
15. Petch Siam Eggplant
There's nothing unusual about the humble eggplant except when the variety looks more like an unripe tomato! Like the common eggplant or aubergine, it grows best in summer and will make a great addition to your vegetable garden.
16. India Black Carrot
Like eggplant, there's nothing unusual with our favorite carrots, until you see the India black variety. But did you know the first known cultivated carrots were originally black or a deep shade of purple? It was only later that the orange carrots were more widely cultivated. Grow carrots in your vegetable garden and try this variety for a change.
17. Winged Asparagus Pea
Winged asparagus pea is called as such because it really does taste like asparagus when cooked lightly and eaten fresh. It also resembles the winged beans with its four corners, but it doesn't grow as tall and has fewer yields. They make a great ornamental plant with the red flowers making it ideal for edible landscaping.
18. Romanesco Broccoli
Romanesco broccoli looks nothing like the usual broccoli nor the cauliflower although it resembles the same growth with the edible head wrapped in leaves. It has an interesting pattern in the florets as if arranged in an algorithm. If you kids are not a fan of broccoli then the romanesco might be a hit with them for its nutty flavor.
19. Purple Sweet Potatoes
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While sweet potatoes are getting a following from avid gardener, they're becoming quite common in the average garden, both as a food source and as an ornamental plant. Sure you've seen white and yellow sweet potatoes, but have you seen purple ones? Not the skin, though, but the inner part which can be covered and hidden under a yellow, red, or white skin.
20. Wooly Bear Gourd
I know what you must be thinking. No way this is a gourd with the spine and all but it really is. No worries because they aren't prickly but are actually tender and great for stir fries. You can grow them in your garden in the warm summer as with most of this vegetable variety.
21. Chioggia Guardsmark Beet
Although the health benefits of beet are not ordinary, beet is not exactly what you would call an exotic vegetable. Except for this amazing vegetable variety with interesting rings making it look like a marksman's target. Grow this beet variety as an interesting addition to your vegetable garden and an amazing addition to your favorite dishes.
Check this video about unusual vegetables you may actually have in your garden:
One of the benefits of getting acquainted with unusual vegetables is knowing potential food source. This is actually a survival skill you can learn along with vegetable gardening. But on the less serious note, wasn't this list of unusual vegetables amusing? Well, this isn't the last of it. So watch out for more of our interesting vegetable gardening list!
Did I miss out on an exotic vegetable you've seen but couldn't find a name for? Do tell about this vegetable in the comments section below.
Want more on weird gardening? Then you're in for a surprise with these 21 exotic fruits you've probably never laid eyes on till now.
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4 thoughts on “21 Unusual Vegetables You’ve Probably Never Seen Or Heard Of”
I have grown 7 of the 11.
I also grew Kuda squash the first year it was released, way back in the 80’s. Anyone else grown this? The same year Red Malibar Spinach was introduced, lovely spinach, for years getting seed was difficult, now easier. I really enjoy growing different types of fruit and vegetables.
I would like to find salsify but no super market carries it. Will probably have to grow it myself.
Do you have any information about it?
When you are giving assistance of a new vegetable, you should provide it’s clearly visualization, otherwise it’s useless. At least, to me.
By the way, thanks.