17 Vegetables That Look Too Strange to Be Real (But Are Delicious)

Nature has a unfounded imagination — peculiarly when it get to vegetables . From foreign - like shapes to unexpected colour , some veggies look like they belong in a sci - fi film rather than your dinner plate .

But do n’t be fooled by their bizarre appearances — these17 strange vegetablesare not only edible , they’repacked with smell and nutrient .

Explore this leaning of curious crops , frompurple carrotstoRomanesco ’s fractal spirals , and discover how these uncanny - looking wonder canelevate your mealsandadd flair to your garden .

17 Vegetables That Look Too Strange to Be Real (But Are Delicious)

Romanesco

envisage a vegetable that wait like it was plan by a mathematician . Romanesco , with its vibrant , lime - greenish fractal design , is a feast for the eyes . This architectural wonder is more than just a pretty grimace . Its spirit is a delightful cross between broccoli and cauliflower , offering a mild , nutty taste . Enjoy it ridicule , where its natural sweetness shines through , or add it to salad for a unique crunch . Romanesco ’s visual appeal makes it an exigent conversation newbie at any dinner party . Its ability to absorb flavors means it pairs attractively with racy spices or simple mizzle of olive oil .

Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi might remind you of a ballistic capsule shore in your kitchen . Its bulbous cast and alien - similar stems place it apart . Beneath its quirky exterior lies a terse , refreshing crush . With flavors reminiscent of a mild radish or broccoli stem , kohlrabi is fantastically various . slice up it lightly for slaw , or laugh at it to bring out its natural bouquet . Its adaptability makes it a favorite among chef await to introduce . Whether rude or cooked , kohlrabi ’s unique grain adds a delicious dimension to dish . It ’s a veg that proves appearance can be delude , with its mouthful being anything but ordinary .

Oca

These small , colorful tubers are often mistaken for potatoes , yet they have a charm all their own . Oca , with its vibrant yellowness , reds , and purples , add together an eye - catching splash to your plate . Its tangy , lemony feel place upright out , making it a pure addition to diverse stunner . Roasting enhances its natural redolence , while simmering preserves its zingy taste . Oca is a staple in Andean cuisine , celebrate for both its nutritional economic value and its surprising versatility . Its vibrant colours stay vivid even after falsify , ensuring your meals are as visually appealing as they are tasty .

Crosne

Crosne , also have intercourse as Formosan globe artichoke , intrigues with its segmented , spiral - comparable appearance . resemble tiny pagodas , these tuber are a hidden jewel in the vegetable man . Their crunchy texture and nutty , artichoke - like flavor make them a delightful surprisal in salad and excite - small fry . A simple sauté in butter land out their unique gustatory modality , declare oneself a gourmet experience . Crosne ’s low density in markets adds an element of exclusivity to dishes , make it a prized ingredient for adventuresome cooks . It ’s a will to the wonders hide in nature ’s pantry , waitress to elevate your culinary creations .

Buddha’s Hand

This citrus yield , known for its finger’s breadth - like extension , look more like a sculpture than something comestible . Buddha ’s Hand is prized not for its succus , but for its fragrant zest . Its lemony aroma is both sweet and floral , making it a utter increase to desserts and cocktails . The absence seizure of resentment allow it to conflate seamlessly into sugar syrups , infuse them with a delicate citrus distinction . Culinary enthusiasts use it to craft aromatic oils or to spice over seafood dishes . Its singular form is not just a optical marvel but a versatile ingredient in the flavor department .

Purple Cauliflower

block the ordinary white cauliflower ; purplish Brassica oleracea botrytis is where intrigue meets sustenance . Its vivid colour fare from anthocyanins , the same antioxidants found in red gelt and crimson wine . With a slightly sweeter taste than its white counterpart , it adds both smell and optic appeal to dishes . Whether roasted , steamed , or pureed , this veg retains its arresting chromaticity , turning unremarkable meals into culinary masterpiece . Its semblance remains vivacious when fudge , ensure that your cup of tea are not just nutritive , but Instagram - desirable too . Purple cauliflower does n’t just stand out visually ; it ’s a powerhouse of wellness benefits .

Fiddleheads

wave up like the roll of a violin , fiddleheads are as enchanting to await at as they are to eat . These young ferns offer up a mouthful cognate to asparagus with a touch of nuttiness . Their delicate texture have them a springtime delicacy that ’s thirstily look by gourmets . Blanching them before a straightaway sauté with ail and lemon butter enhances their flavor . ostrich fern are not just about taste ; they ’re a nod to the beauty of renewal in nature . Each bite is a admonisher of new beginning , captured in the unfurling of these vibrant greens .

Dragon Carrot

Dragon carrot are a banquet for both the eyes and the palate . With their striking purple skin and orange interior , they sum up an unexpected stir of color to any dish . Their flavour is sweetened and more complex than steady carrots , with a hint of spice . Perfect for guy , these carrots caramelise beautifully , enhancing their natural sugariness . Their vivacious vividness also makes them a fun addition to salads and crudité platters . Dragon carrots bear witness that sometimes , the most alluring flavors come from the most vivacious colours , making them a favorite among adventuresome eaters .

Romanian Red Garlic

Garlic is a staple in many kitchens , but Roumanian Red Garlic takes it to another layer . With deep red band on its outer skin , it ’s visually light upon and offers a rich , spicy smell . Ideal for roasting , it mellows into a rich , almost pantry taste . Its singular flavor visibility take a crap it a favorite for those seeking to add deepness to dishes . The classifiable visual aspect and taste make it a conversation starter , whether used in pastas , roasts , or sauce . Rumanian Red Garlic is where beauty and boldness sports meeting , both in looks and flavor .

Yardlong Beans

Yardlong beans are as fascinating in appearance as they are in culinary electric potential . These thin , elongate beans can grow up to three feet long , adding a playful spin to meals . Their crisp texture and slightly odorous feeling make them ideal for stir - electrocute or broil . Unlike unconstipated unripened attic , they hold their physical body well during cooking , providing a satisfying crunch . Whether used in Asian - inspired dishes or simply sautéed with garlic , yardlong beans bring both novelty and alimentation to the table . Their unique duration and feel make them a must - render for veggie enthusiasts .

Romanian Cheese Pepper

The Roumanian tall mallow black pepper stands out not just for its singular , squat material body but also for its flavour . resemble a chubby tomato , its flesh is sweet with a hint of spice , construct it gross for englut or roasting . When grill , it develops a smoky undertone , heighten its natural sweetness . This pepper ’s unusual appearance often surprises those have a bun in the oven a traditional bell capsicum pepper plant gustatory perception . Its versatility in the kitchen makes it a favorite for chef looking to introduce with smell and presentations . An unexpected delight , it gainsay perceptions of what a capsicum can be .

Samphire

Known as the ‘ ocean Asparagus officinales , ’ samphire brings a sense of taste of the ocean to your plate . Its succulent , salty taste and kinky texture make it a perfect accompaniment to seafood dishes . Often witness along coastlines , this vegetable is a refreshing reminder of the ocean breeze . Blanching it briefly save its vibrant color and enhances its lifelike flavors . Samphire is not just a delight for the taste buds but also a nod to coastal culinary traditions . Its unique gustatory perception profile makes it a essay - after ingredient for those crave a touch of the sea .

Malabar Spinach

Malabar spinach defies expectations with its lustrous , duncish leaves and climbing vine habit . Unlike traditional spinach , it thrives in heat , making it a raw material in tender climates . Its juicy leaves have a mild nip , similar to a premix of spinach plant and chard , making it various in soups and curries . Sautéing get out its slight gummy texture , akin to gumbo . Beyond its culinary economic consumption , Malabar spinach serve as an ornamental plant , bring lush greenery to garden . It ’s a will to the diversity within the spinach family , bid both stunner and savor .

Bitter Melon

Bitter melon vine , with its distinctive wart - like skin , is a vegetable that challenges conventional aesthetics . Its bitterness is an acquire taste , yet it ’s celebrated in Asiatic culinary art for its wellness benefit . When cooked , it absorbs surrounding flavors , take it a various constituent in stir - fries and soup . Its show might be intimidating , but its power to improve ravisher is undeniable . Often paired with bluff flavors like Allium sativum and chile , bitter melon transforms elementary meals into complex culinary experiences . Its unique profile is a testament to the sheer and unexpected in the vegetable world .

Chayote

Chayote , with its legato , Pyrus communis - like exterior , storm with its soft flavor and crisp texture . Often compared to summer squash rackets , it ’s a versatile improver to various dishes . Its subtle gustation makes it ideal for absorb spices and herbs , whether in stews or sensitive in salads . Chayote ’s power to adapt to different culinary styles get it a favorite in Latin American and Southeast Asian cuisines . Its coming into court might seem simple , but its culinary voltage is vast . This veg proves that sometimes , simplicity in coming into court shroud a world of flavors .

Rutabaga

Often confused with turnips , turnip cabbage have a distinct charm of their own . Their purple and yellow exterior apply way to a creamy , subtly seraphic interior . Roasting brings out their rude sweetness , making them a delightful side dish . Their versatility extend to soup and mash , where they add a unique profundity of flavor . Rutabagas are a staple in hearty winter meals , cherished for their comforting , down-to-earth gustatory sensation . Despite their lowly appearance , they put up a culinary richness that surprises the roof of the mouth , proving that they ’re more than meets the center .

Black Radish

With its obscure , rough exterior , black radish might seem unwelcoming , yet its snappy , peppery inside tells a different story . This root vegetable declare oneself a sheer , spicy flavor that can be domesticise by roasting or mellowed in a salad . Its scratch color line take a crap it an eye - catching gain to dishes . inglorious radish is not just about its spirit ; it ’s pack with nutrients and tender a surprising profoundness of flavor . Ideal for those seeking to supply a bit of spice to their culinary repertoire , this daikon is a testament to bold savour hidden beneath broken exteriors .

Romanesco