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

Nature has a gaga imagination — especially when it comes to vegetable . From alien - corresponding shapes to unexpected vividness , some veg look like they belong in a sci - fi movie rather than your dinner plate .

But do n’t be fooled by their outre show — these17 strange vegetablesare not only edible , they’repacked with flavor and nutrient .

Explore this list of curious crop , frompurple carrotstoRomanesco ’s fractal spirals , and find how these uncanny - looking wonders canelevate your mealsandadd flair to your garden .

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

Romanesco

envisage a vegetable that looks like it was plan by a mathematician . Romanesco , with its vivacious , lime - green fractal blueprint , is a feast for the eyes . This architectural marvel is more than just a pretty face . Its flavor is a delicious cross between Brassica oleracea italica and Brassica oleracea botrytis , offering a mild , nutty taste . Enjoy it roasted , where its natural sweetness shines through , or add it to salad for a unparalleled crunch . Romanesco ’s ocular appeal makes it an instant conversation starter at any dinner political party . Its ability to assimilate flavor have in mind it pairs attractively with robust spices or unproblematic drizzle of olive oil .

Kohlrabi

turnip cabbage might remind you of a ballistic capsule down in your kitchen . Its bulbous shape and alien - like stems localize it apart . Beneath its quirky exterior lies a kinky , refreshing compaction . With flavour reminiscent of a mild radish or broccoli stem , Brassica oleracea gongylodes is incredibly versatile . slit it thin for slaw , or poke fun it to bring out its natural sweetness . Its adaptability stool it a deary among chef looking to introduce . Whether raw or cooked , Brassica oleracea gongylodes ’s unique grain adds a delightful dimension to dishes . It ’s a vegetable that proves appearance can be deceiving , with its taste being anything but average .

Oca

These small , colourful tubers are often mistaken for potato , yet they have a charm all their own . Oca , with its vibrant yellows , reds , and purple , adds an eye - catch splash to your collection plate . Its tangy , lemony tang stands out , making it a arrant addition to diverse dishes . Roasting enhance its raw sweetness , while boiling preserves its zingy taste . Oca is a staple in Andean culinary art , celebrated for both its nutritionary economic value and its surprising versatility . Its vibrant colors remain vivid even after fake , secure your meals are as visually likeable as they are tasty .

Crosne

Crosne , also know as Formosan artichoke , intrigues with its segmented , spiral - like coming into court . Resembling tiny pagoda , these Tuber are a hidden stone in the vegetable world . Their crunchy texture and nutty , artichoke - like flavor make them a delicious surprise in salads and stir - fries . A simple sauté in butter brings out their unique predilection , offering a gourmet experience . Crosne ’s rarity in markets add together an factor of exclusivity to dishes , score it a prized ingredient for adventurous cooks . It ’s a testament to the wonders hidden in nature ’s pantry , hold back to get up your culinary origination .

Buddha’s Hand

This citrus fruit , known for its finger - like extensions , looks more like a sculpture than something eatable . Buddha ’s Hand is prized not for its juice , but for its fragrant piquantness . Its lemony aroma is both sugared and floral , make it a perfect addition to desserts and cocktails . The absence seizure of rancour allows it to blend seamlessly into refined sugar sirup , infusing them with a frail citrus banker’s bill . Culinary enthusiast apply it to craft redolent oils or to zest over seafood stunner . Its unique mannikin is not just a visual marvel but a versatile factor in the feeling department .

Purple Cauliflower

Forget the ordinary blanched cauliflower ; violet Brassica oleracea botrytis is where machination meet nutrition . Its vivid gloss number from anthocyanins , the same antioxidant found in red clams and red vino . With a slightly sweeter taste than its ashen counterpart , it adds both look and visual collection to dishes . Whether jest at , steamed , or pureed , this vegetable retains its stunning hue , turning everyday meal into culinary masterpieces . Its colour remains vibrant when fix , assure that your dishes are not just nutritious , but Instagram - suitable too . Purple Brassica oleracea botrytis does n’t just stand up out visually ; it ’s a powerhouse of health benefits .

Fiddleheads

curl up like the roll of a fiddle , fiddleheads are as enchanting to look at as they are to eat . These untested ferns offer a taste blood-related to asparagus with a pinch of nuttiness . Their finespun texture make them a spring delicacy that ’s thirstily awaited by gourmets . Blanching them before a prompt sauté with garlic and lemon butter enhances their feeling . Onoclea struthiopteris are not just about appreciation ; they ’re a nod to the peach of renewal in nature . Each pungency is a reminder of new beginnings , charm in the unfurling of these vibrant greens .

Dragon Carrot

Dragon carrots are a spread for both the eyes and the roof of the mouth . With their striking purple skin and orange interior , they tally an unexpected splash of colour to any cup of tea . Their tang is sweeter and more complex than regular carrots , with a hint of spice . gross for roasting , these carrots caramelize beautifully , heighten their natural sweetness . Their vibrant color also make them a fun addition to salad and crudité platters . Dragon carrots prove that sometimes , the most alluring tone add up from the most vivacious colors , draw them a deary among adventurous feeder .

Romanian Red Garlic

Garlic is a staple in many kitchens , but Romanian Red Garlic takes it to another grade . With mysterious red stripe on its outer peel , it ’s visually striking and offer a robust , risque flavor . Ideal for roasting , it mellow out into a deep , almost buttery taste . Its unique flavor visibility make it a favorite for those seeking to append depth to saucer . The distinctive appearance and gustation make it a conversation starter motor , whether used in pastas , roasts , or sauces . Romanian Red Garlic is where knockout and face sports meeting , both in facial expression and flavor .

Yardlong Beans

Yardlong beans are as fascinating in appearance as they are in culinary potential drop . These slender , elongated beans can grow up to three metrical unit long , adding a playful twist to meals . Their crisp grain and slenderly sweet feeling make them ideal for stir - fry or grilling . Unlike veritable green noodle , they hold their form well during preparation , providing a solid crunch . Whether used in Asian - inspired dishes or only sautéed with garlic , yardlong beans bring in both novelty and nutrition to the board . Their singular length and smack make them a must - try for vegetable partizan .

Romanian Cheese Pepper

The Roumanian cheese pepper stands out not just for its unique , squat shape but also for its tang . Resembling a plump tomato plant , its flesh is cherubic with a mite of spicery , making it double-dyed for stuffing or roasting . When grilled , it grow a smoky undertone , enhancing its natural sweetness . This pepper ’s unusual coming into court often surprises those await a traditional bell peppercorn gustatory modality . Its versatility in the kitchen make it a favorite for chef looking to innovate with flavors and presentations . An unexpected delectation , it challenge perception of what a pepper can be .

Samphire

know as the ‘ ocean asparagus , ’ Salicornia europaea brings a preference of the sea to your home plate . Its succulent , piquant taste and crisp grain make it a complete complement to seafood dishes . Often see along coastlines , this vegetable is a refreshing admonisher of the ocean breeze . Blanching it in brief preserves its vibrant color and enhances its innate flavors . Samphire is not just a delectation for the penchant bud but also a nod to coastal culinary traditions . Its singular gustatory sensation profile makes it a sought - after ingredient for those starve a touch of the sea .

Malabar Spinach

Malabar spinach defy expectation with its glossy , deep leafage and climbing vine wont . Unlike traditional spinach , it flourish in high temperature , make it a staple fibre in affectionate climate . Its juicy leaves have a modest feeling , similar to a mix of spinach and chard , create it versatile in soup and curry . Sautéing bring out its little mucilaginous grain , cognate to okra . Beyond its culinary uses , Malabar spinach serves as an decorative works , adding lush greenery to gardens . It ’s a testament to the multifariousness within the spinach family , offering both beauty and flavor .

Bitter Melon

blistering melon , with its distinctive wart - corresponding cutis , is a vegetable that dispute conventional esthetic . Its bitterness is an develop taste , yet it ’s celebrated in Asiatic cuisines for its health benefits . When cooked , it absorbs surrounding flavors , make it a various component in splash - french-fried potatoes and soup . Its show might be intimidate , but its ability to amend dish aerial is undeniable . Often paired with bold flavors like garlic and chili pepper , sulphurous melon transforms bare meals into complex culinary experiences . Its alone visibility is a testament to the bluff and unexpected in the vegetable world .

Chayote

Chayote , with its politic , pear - like exterior , surprises with its modest flavor and crisp texture . Often compared to summer squash , it ’s a versatile add-on to various dishes . Its pernicious gustation makes it idealistic for absorbing spices and herbs , whether in stews or raw in salads . Chayote ’s power to adapt to different culinary styles makes it a favorite in Latin American and southeastern Asiatic cuisine . Its appearance might seem simple , but its culinary voltage is vast . This vegetable proves that sometimes , simpleness in visual aspect conceal a earthly concern of flavor .

Rutabaga

Often confused with white turnip , swede have a distinct charm of their own . Their purple and yellow exterior grant way to a creamy , subtly sweet interior . Roasting brings out their innate sweetness , making them a delightful side dish . Their versatility extends to soup and mashes , where they add together a unique depth of flavor . Rutabagas are a staple in hearty winter meals , cherished for their comforting , earthy preference . Despite their modest appearance , they offer a culinary fertility that surprises the palate , proving that they ’re more than meet the oculus .

Black Radish

With its dark-skinned , rough exterior , black radish might seem unwelcoming , yet its crisp , peppery interior tells a dissimilar story . This rootage veg offer a bold , spicy flavor that can be tame by roasting or melt in a salad . Its striking color contrast micturate it an heart - capture addition to dishes . Black radish is not just about its looks ; it ’s pack with nutrient and propose a surprising depth of flavor . Ideal for those seeking to add together a bit of spice to their culinary repertory , this radish is a will to sheer flavors hidden beneath rugged exterior .

Romanesco