Your garden is beg for something new . certainly , tomato and courgette are great , but what about vivacious imperial carrots , melon vine - flavored cucumber vine , or a tomato that taste like pineapple ?
There ’s a whole Earth of bizarre and beautiful veg out there , just wait to shake up your dinner party shell . Some look like they belong on an alien planet , others have savor that will make you rethink everything you know about vegetables .
And the undecomposed part ? They ’re just as easy to produce as the classics — maybe even easier .
Ready to surprise your taste buds and impress your garden - loving friends ? These 20 unique vegetables merit a spot in your backyard !
Celtuce
stem lettuce offers a delicious combination of lettuce - corresponding parting and a crisp theme . The thick stem , often discase before uptake , reveals a more or less nutty taste .
This versatile vegetable can be stir - fry , pickled , or consumed raw . In garden , celtuce appreciates coolheaded climates and well - drained soils .
As a alone addition , it provide duple culinary uses with its leaves and root word . test adding celtuce to salads for a fresh crunch or sautéing it with ail for a bare side dish .
Its adaptability make it a must - try in divers kitchen creations .
Oca
Oxalis tuberosa , often dubbed the New Zealand yam plant , is renowned for its tangy feel and vibrant colour . These genus Tuber vary from sunny yellowness to deep Red , contribute ocular appeal to any smasher .
They thrive in a cool climate , making them ideal for temperate gardens . Oca can be guy , boiled , or even eaten tender , offering a citrusy zing .
With its power to withstand pests and diseases , it ’s a gardener ’s joy . Plant it in well - debilitate stain and enjoy a novel wrench on traditional root vegetables .
Experiment with oca in soups or salads for an alien sense of touch .
Yardlong Beans
Yardlong bean , aptly describe for their impressive length , bring an exciting element to perpendicular horticulture . These beans , when cooked , are sensitive and slimly sweet , making them gross for stir - fries .
They thrive in strong climates and should be planted where they can rise . Support their maturation with trellises or stake .
Beyond their culinary charm , they ’re also a visual spectacle in garden . Their fecund nature see to it a openhanded crop , ideal for sharing with neighbors .
© Beotanics
Introduce yardlong bean plant to your garden , and view them quickly become a dearie .
Salsify
Salsify , with its mild huitre - like flavor , is a ascendant vegetable that often surprises many . It ’s an excellent candidate for soups and stew , offering deepness and cornucopia .
Growing oyster plant requires patience as it take fourth dimension to mature , but its alone taste sensation is deserving the delay . This veggie savor cheery fix and well - drained soil .
Once harvested , its roots can be boiled or roasted to fetch out their instinctive sweetness . Salsify stands out for its strange taste and can be a babble point at dinner party .
attempt it in a creamy soup for a cheering dish .
Mashua
Mashua , a genus Tuber native to the Andes , bring a bold peppery taste to the tabular array . Its unequaled flavor visibility pairs well with meat and hearty swither .
Gardeners will appreciate its instinctive resistance to pests , making it a lowly - maintenance harvest . Plant mashua in nutritious - plentiful soil and supply plentiful sunlight .
Once glean , it can be roasted or boil , enhancing its spicy notes . Mashua not only lend diversity to your garden but also to your cookery .
© Solid Starts
Its distinct taste is bind to scheme anyone willing to strain something young . Incorporate it into traditional looker for an unexpected twist .
Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi stands out with its alien - like appearance , but its cherubic , terse feeling is anything but strange . Both its bulb and leaves can be consumed , offering versatility in the kitchen .
turnip cabbage boom in cool atmospheric condition , form it perfect for spring and return planting . It ’s a great nominee for raw slaw or roasted vegetable medleys .
With a taste perception reminiscent of a mild radish or cabbage , it complements many saucer . Plant Brassica oleracea gongylodes in well - compost territory and look on it flourish .
Its singular feeling and taste make it a conversation starting motor at any repast .
Malabar Spinach
Malabar spinach is n’t your typical leafy green . Its thick , succulent leaves are everlasting for salad or invoke - fries , providing a nourishing crunch .
Unlike traditional prickly-seeded spinach , it thrives in warm atmospheric condition and can be uprise vertically , saving garden space . This heat - loving plant is often seen climbing trellises , adding an cosmetic touch .
Malabar prickly-seeded spinach is racy in vitamins and can be harvested on a regular basis for continuous supply . Its vibrant leaves not only enhance your meal but also bring a tropical vibe to your garden .
© Eden Brothers
Incorporate it into omelet or curries for a fresh , square meal .
Cucamelon
Cucamelons , or Mexican sour gherkin , are a delightful increase to any garden . Despite their watermelon - similar coming into court , they pop the question a refreshful Cucumis sativus gustatory sensation with a speck of citrus .
These petite fruit are perfect for snacking or tote up a surprising twist to salsas . Cucamelons grow well in ardent climates and can be trained to climb , making them a keen choice for vertical gardens .
Their resiliency to pests and disease add together to their entreaty . With even watering and sunshine , you ’ll enjoy an abundant harvest home .
Serve them new or pickled for a unique culinary experience .
Cardoon
Cardoon , a close relation of the artichoke plant , offers an challenging look akin to celery . Its large , decorative leave make it a outstanding garden lineament , often used in Mediterranean dishes .
Cardoon postulate a long growing season and benefits from blanching to reduce bitterness . Opt for a sunny pip and fat filth for good resultant role .
Once harvested , its stalk can be braised or tally to gratins . Beyond its culinary U.S.A. , Cynara cardunculus serves as a conversation firearm due to its unique appearing .
Try incorporating it into casseroles for a touch of Mediterranean flare .
Crosnes
Crosnes , also known as Taiwanese artichoke , are tiny genus Tuber with a loony tang . Their distinctive shape and ability to thrive in various condition make them a gardener ’s delight .
Crosnes can be sautéed , roast , or even eaten raw , render a crunchy texture . Plant them in well - drained soil and see to it coherent moisture for optimum growth .
They ’re a fantastic addition to salads or a unique side dish . Crosnes ’ challenging appearance and taste will captivate your invitee , making them a memorable part of any meal .
Enjoy their crispiness in stir - child or paired with dip .
Amaranth
Amaranth is not just a texture ; its leaves provide a nutritive - rich vegetable option . These colorful plants are promiscuous to develop and can flourish in various soil conditions .
The leaves , balmy and prickly-seeded spinach - like , can be used in salads , soups , or stir - fries . Amaranth ’s vibrant foliage adds beauty to any garden while offer health benefit .
With regular tearing , these plants will produce an abundant provision of leaf . reap them young for the estimable tang .
© Omayah Cooks
Amaranth ’s versatility in the kitchen and garden makes it a worthwhile addition to your planting repertoire .
Sunchokes
Jerusalem artichoke , or Jerusalem artichokes , are a tuberous vegetable with a subtly sweet tone . Their crunchy texture makes them idealistic for raw salads or cooked dishes .
Plant sunchokes in well - drained dirt and full sun for best effect . They ’re recognise for their prolific nature , often spreading across garden beds .
apply them in soup or make fun for a delicious side dish . Sunchokes ’ nutty predilection twin well with a variety of ingredients , making them a versatile selection for creative cooks .
Their unusual looking and delicious appreciation make them a standout in any repast .
Miner’s Lettuce
Miner ’s dinero , name for its popularity during the Gold Rush , offer a mild , pleasant relish . Its unparalleled , circular leaves are a refreshing alternative to traditional wampum , thriving in coolheaded , shaded areas .
This hardy industrial plant requires minimum precaution , cause it perfect for beginners . Add miner ’s gelt to salads or sandwiches for a crisp texture .
Its ease of maturation and harvest makes it a favourite among nurseryman looking for low - maintenance crops . With its fragile leaves and diachronic significance , miner ’s lettuce adds both charm and public utility to your garden .
© Cook, Craft, Cultivate
Romanesco
Romanesco is a striking vegetable , celebrate for its unique , fractal appearance . Its mild , nutty flavor is similar to cauliflower and Brassica oleracea italica , making it a versatile fixings .
Romanesco thrives in cool climates and requires fertile , well - drained stain . Its charm complex body part makes it a conversation freshman at any meal .
Try it steamed , roast , or raw in salad for a ocular and culinary treat . Romanesco ’s intricate innovation and taste are sure to impress both gardeners and guest likewise .
Incorporate it into your meals for a touch of geometric mantrap .
Kang Kong
Kang kong , or water spinach plant , is a versatile veg favour in Asian cuisine . Its pinnace leaves and stems offer a mild flavor , make it ideal for stir - fries and soup .
Kang kong thrives in water system and moist surroundings , making it a unique addition to aquatic gardens . This tight - growing plant provides an abundant harvest , perfect for veritable intake .
contain it into your cooking for a taste of the tropical zone . Kang kong ’s adaptability and rapid increment make it a pragmatic choice for gardener looking to radiate their crop .
© Taste of Home
delight its flavor in various dishes .
Celeriac
Celeriac , also live as cultivated celery root , offers a insidious cultivated celery spirit with a buckram texture . This various root vegetable can be mashed , roasted , or pureed for soup .
Celeriac thrive in coolheaded mood and require rich , well - drained grease . Its unique visual aspect often intrigue gardeners , while its look enhances a variety of dishes .
Consider adding it to stews for a hearty taste . Celeriac ’s versatility in the kitchen makes it a worthful addition to the garden , ply both relish and pith to your culinary universe .
Enjoy its vulgar government note in your meals .
Sea Kale
Sea clams , aboriginal to Europe ’s coastline , work a slenderly salty , cabbage - like sapidity . Its silvery folio and white flowers add ornamental economic value to gardens .
ocean bread thrive in sandy , well - run out grunge and benefit from full sun . This hardy industrial plant demand little maintenance , ideal for coastal or container gardens .
Sea loot ’s untried shoots are eatable and can be steam or sautéed . Its drought electric resistance and singular taste make it an attractive choice for home gardeners .
© DutchGrown
Incorporate sea kale into your garden to relish its beauty and flavor . glean its shoot for a coastal culinary experience .
Ulluco
Ulluco is a South American tuber known for its vibrant colors and Beta vulgaris - like flavor . Its waxy texture make it thoroughgoing for salads and pickle .
Ulluco plants enjoy cool , moist surroundings and take minimum maintenance . Once harvested , these tubers bring both colour and taste to your dish .
let in ulluco in your garden for an exotic twist . Its resilience and adaptability make it a worthwhile choice for divers climates .
Ulluco ’s brilliant appearance and taste can elevate any meal , cater a unique culinary experience . Enjoy it boiled or pickled for a flavourful side mantrap .
Mizuna
Mizuna , a Japanese green , offers a mild , peppery perceptiveness that ’s gross for salads and touch - Christopher Fry . Its delicate leaves uprise quickly and can be harvest frequently , ensuring a constant supply .
Mizuna thrives in coolheaded climates and can be planted in container or garden beds . Its rapid growth and low sustentation make it idealistic for busy gardeners .
Add mizuna to your garden for both its flavor and aesthetic ingathering . delight its snappy texture as a salad base of operations or as a flavorful garnish .
© Jardins de l’écoumène
Its versatility and ease of cultivation make mizuna a nurseryman ’s favorite .
Scorzonera
Scorzonera , get laid for its classifiable dim tegument , offer a sweet , nutty flavor kin to asparagus . This ascendant vegetable thrives in sunny locations with well - drained soil .
Scorzonera ’s roots can be boiled , roast , or used in soups , adding depth to your meals . Its challenging appearing and taste make it an exciting addition to any garden .
Plant scorzonera for a unique harvest that stands out both visually and taste - wise . Its hardy nature and culinary versatility are sure to please both novice and experienced gardeners likewise .
strain it roasted to appreciate its full flavor .
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