The Weirdest Shaped Fruit and Veg From Around The World

2 years ago

1. Romanesco Broccoli

Image Source: Wiktionary

This strange looking broccoli is actually a type of cauliflower and happens to taste like one too. The psychedelic pattern which makes this vegetable so unique is created by each spiked green floret being a replica of the entire plant…if you look closer, you will see what we mean!

2. Ackee

Image Source: boredpanda.com

Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica, where it can be found growing abundantly on evergreen trees. It is also a component of the national dish, ackee and codfish. When the fruit is ripe the pods are bright red and will split open easily to reveal the cream-coloured flesh.

3. Akebi

Image Source: boredpanda.com

They might look like funny shaped purple bananas, but this mysterious fruit can be found in the north of Japan and is hard to get your hands on! The sweet white pulp is fairly mild in flavour and can vary from a mixture of banana, passionfruit and lychee.

4. Buddha's Hand

Image Source: Plantura

These creepy looking fingers remind us of something from a Halloween movie…but this is a real fruit! Buddha’s hand belongs to the citron family and closely resembles a lemon. However, there is no pulp that can be eaten and instead the peel and rind is used in cooking.

5. Finger Lime

Image Source: SBS

They might look like boring long-shaped limes from the outside, but as soon as you cut inside you will find them filled with tangy beads of citrus goodness! They are becoming increasingly popular around the world, often being described as ‘lime caviar’.

6. Fiddlehead Ferns

Image Source: The Spruce

You might look at these odd shaped plants and think: who would eat a fern? Well, apparently it is more common than you might think. They are usually boiled and served with butter, but make sure they are fully cooked because these fiddlehead ferns are actually poisonous when they are raw!

7. Snake Beans

Image Source: Brisbane Sustainability Agency

These freakishly long vegetables are similar to the green beans you find on most dinner plates but there is a reason they are called “snake beans”…they can grow up to two feet in length! They are popular in Asian cuisine and are usually served whole after being stir-fried.

8. Peter Pepper

Image Source: outdoorhappens.com

This chilli pepper is known for its unusual shape which often catches peoples attention! You’re probably wondering where the name comes from but it turns out “Peter” used to be slang for….well, you can figure out the rest! Don’t be fooled by their amusing shape, they pack a hot punch.

9. Sunchoke

Image Source: outdoorhappens.com

Also known as a “Jerusalem artichoke” these oddly shaped vegetables are a versatile staple in many cuisines, which can be used as a substitute for potatoes. They are also more commonly referred to as “fartichokes” as they have a reputation for causing some unwanted gas.

10. Banana Squash

Image Source: The Spruce Eats

I bet you haven’t seen a vegetable this big before…banana squashes can grow up to 3 feet long and weight 35 pounds! They are filled with tasty pink flesh which has a similar flavour to butternut squash, hence the name. These mammoth things could feed a small village!

11. Honeyberries

Image Source: Wikipedia

These unusual looking berries come from the blue honeysuckle and have been described as having a rich tart flavour. Although they look similar to a blueberry, they have a sharper taste resembling a raspberry. They can be eaten raw or used to make baked goods.

12. Kumquat

Image Source: boredpanda.com

These strange fruits look like miniature oranges, and they taste like them too! Kumquats are roughly the size of a grape and unlike other citrus fruits including oranges, they are usually eaten whole including the peel which gives them their sweet flavour.

13. Hala Fruit

Image Source: boredpanda.com

This glorious fruit comes from the Hala Fruit Tree which is part of the Pandanus species. Each fruit can be up to 30 cm long and filled with hundreds of segments which are known as ‘keys’. It has a delicately sweet taste and can be eaten fresh or squeezed into juice.

14. Gac

Image Source: boredpanda.com

This vibrant fruit is a type of melon which is native to South-East Asia. It has a mild sweet taste with a molasses undertone. It has been described as having a fresh aroma but the creamy texture resembles an avocado. Surprisingly, once the gac is cooked it tastes like a tomato!

15. Makrut Lime

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Makrut limes are bitter with a lumpy thick skin which means they are inedible. However, the leaves are commonly used in South East Asian cooking as they are aromatic and flavoursome. They can be bought fresh, frozen or dried and they were more commonly known as “kaffir lime leaves”.

16. Physalis

Image Source: boredpanda.com

These small golden fruits come from the Physalis tree and resemble a tomato in appearance with their firm texture and small seeds. But unlike a tomato, they have a very sweet taste which has been described as being similar to the flavour of strawberries or pineapple.

17. Achiote

Image Source: boredpanda.com

These heart-shaped red fruits come from the Annatto tree which is more commonly known as the “lipstick tree” and you’ll soon see why…the fruits are filled with vibrant coloured seeds which are covered in pulp. These seeds are stirred in water and used as a colouring dye.

18. Sapodilla

Image Source: boredpanda.com

These strange looking egg-shaped fruits may not look very appetising but they are surprisingly tasty! Sapodilla has been described as having a very sweet taste with hints of brown sugar. Although the skin is rough, once pealed it will reveal soft flesh which resembles the texture of a pear.

19. Watermelon Radish

Image Source: boredpanda.com

This unusual looking vegetable has bright green skin and a striking pink interior. Despite the name, watermelon radishes taste nothing like watermelon…they actually have a sweet peppery taste similar to other types of radishes and can be eaten raw, pickled or cooked.

20. Jícama

Image Source: boredpanda.com

Strangely shaped like a bulb of garlic with the dark skin and white flesh of a potato, jícama is also known as a “Mexican turnip”. Although this starchy root vegetable resembles a potato in both looks and taste, but it has a sweeter and more juicy flavour.

21. Breadfruit

Image Source: balconygardenweb.com

Although breadfruit is the fruit of the breadfruit tree, it is often considered a vegetable when it is consumed before it is fully ripe. This is because it tastes like potato when it is cooked, but when it is overripe it can be eaten raw as the flesh is sweet.

22. Carambola

Image Source: The Fact Site

It is easy to see why carambola is more commonly known as “star fruit” because look at that beautiful shape! Although it may be aesthetically pleasing, star fruit has a sour taste which isn’t for everyone. The skin is also edible, meaning all parts of the fruit can be used for cooking.

23. Cloudberry

Image Source: balconygardenweb.com

How cute are these fluffy looking berries? Although they may resemble a raspberry, they have a much more unique taste which has been described as sour with floral notes. Each little berry consists of 5-25 drupelets and they turn from pale red to amber when they become ripe.

24. Durian

Image Source: balconygardenweb.com

The infamous durian fruit has caused controversy over the years being dubbed the "king of fruits" across areas of South-East Asia. Although the flesh of the durian fruit tastes delicious, it has a terribly foul smell…they are even banned in some places across Asia!

25. Oca tubers

Image Source: Wikipedia

I wonder what this strange shape reminds you of…these potato-like tuberous vegetables come in a variety of colours including red, yellow and purple. They resemble big chunky fingers with a rough bobbly skin but despite how they look, oca tubers have fresh lemony taste.

26. Cupuaçu

Image Source: Wikipedia

You probably wouldn’t have even thought this was a fruit or vegetable, but the cupuaçu happens to be related to the cacao tree. The unique brown ovular shape protects the white flesh inside which tastes like chocolate with notes of tropical fruit…we would love to try this one!

27. Cherimoya

Image Source: balconygardenweb.com

More commonly known as a “custard apple” this green cone-shaped fruit has a thick leathery rind which protects the sweet flesh it holds inside. The creamy texture of the flesh is where the name comes from, as it is often served cold and eaten with a spoon just like custard.

28. Langsat

Image Source: boredpanda.com

They might look like mini potatoes, but Langsat are fruits that come from the Langsat tree which are part of the mahogany family. Inside the fruits are white flesh containing inedible bitter seeds. They are commonly found in regions across South East Asia so make sure to avoid them!

29. Lychee

Image Source: boredpanda.com

This unique tropical fruit is also know as “alligator strawberry” because of its red bumpy skin. It is native to China but is now grown in other parts of the world and enjoyed across the globe. They contain sweet white flesh which resembles the texture of a grape.

30. Horned Melon

Image Source: boredpanda.com

This exotic fruit from South Africa may look like a sweet treat, but it is actually closely related to the humble cucumber! They are roughly the size of a mango and are filled with luminous green jellied seeds which have a mild and slightly sweet taste…

31. Black Radish

Image Source / DelishYou may have only thought the red coloured radishes existed, but there's a black version also known as black Spanish radishes. In the 1800s, they were popular in England and France and they taste a little spicier than the red radishes.

32. Atemoya

Image Source / DelishThis hybrid reveals a fruit made from the sugar apple and cherimoya, which results in a taste that's sweet and bitter at the same time. It has flavours similar to pineapple, vanilla and coconut. The flesh can be taken out of the shell to be eaten - but it also carried toxic black seeds you should watch out for!

33. Black Sapote

Image Source / DelishThis fruit is also known as the chocolate pudding fruit owing to the colour and texture of its flesh. It's a fruit that's commonly used to make desserts in Mexico and the Philippines. It can also be fermented to make liquor, which is often done in Central America.

34. Bottle Gourd

Image Source / WikipediaAlso known as the calabash, the bottle gourd is named because it can be used as an actual bottle once ripened and dried out! This vegetable grows on a vine and is a popular choice for cooking in Indian and Chinese dishes. The Japanese like to use the vegetable as a container.

35. Canistel

Image Source / Delish

The canistel, native to Mexico, is also known as eggfruit, which is owed to it having a texture like that of a boiled egg. This fruit can be eaten raw, and has a sweet taste to it. It's a good option for making custards and ice cream due to its egg-like texture.

36. Cucamelon

Image Source / DelishThe cucamelon is native to Central America and Mexico, and the taste can be described as similar to what a sour cucumber would taste like. Despite tasting like a cucumber, they look more like a watermelon and they grow on vines about the size of grapes, sometimes called mini watermelons!

37. Dandelion Greens

Image Source / DelishWhile weeds are usually just annoying things to have in your garden, this particular weed can actually be eaten - which is a great option if you want to get rid of it but you're also hungry. They also taste really good, with a taste more on the bitter side, making them great for rich dishes.

38. Dulse

Image Source / DelishDulse is a vegetable which actually grows underwater. It has a red and brown colouring to it, known as a sea vegetable, and you can buy it in powder form or as the whole leaves. The leaves are salty - which comes as no surprise when they come from the sea - and also chewy, but if you cook them well enough you can make them nice and crispy!

39. Feijoas

Image Source / DelishThis small fruit kind of looks like a kiwi, but it's more egg shaped. With this fruit, you can enjoy the inner flesh by scooping it out, which tastes sweet with a citrus-like kick. The pulp and seeds can also be eaten. The texture of the fruit is sort of like a pear even though it tastes nothing like one.

40. Gai Lan

Image Source / DelishThis vegetable is also known as 'Chinese broccoli', but despite its name, it doesn't have the broccoli florets that we know and love (or hate if you don't like veg!). The flavour of Gai Lan is still very similar to broccoli but with a more bitter kick.

41. Guanabana

Image Source / DelishThis fruit is native to Central America and South America, but it's also grown in Asia. It's also known as the soursop, though despite the 'sour' in its name, its taste is similar to that of strawberries or pineapples. The fruit contains seeds that can't be eaten, though, so trying to get round the seeds to eat the pulp can be tricky!

42. Jabuticaba

Image Source / DelishThis fruit is similar to the grape, but its size is more like that of a plum - just to confuse things. The weird thing about this fruit is that it can grow directly on a tree trunk as well as on the branches! This fruit is a popular choice for making wine and liqueur. It's native to Latin America.

43. Jackfruit

Image Source / DelishVegetarians may have come across this fruit at one time or another because it's often a substitute for meat in things like curries. This fruit grows on trees and is actually the biggest fruit in the world. Its taste is similar to a banana but a little more tart.

44. Kalamansi

Image Source / DelishAlso known as Calamondin, this fruit looks sort of like a tangerine-lime hybrid. It's a fruit native to Asia, and they're often used in the same way lemon and limes would be for their citrus, acidic flavour. It's usually picked when green and can later turn orange.

45. Kohlrabi

Image Source / DelishThis veggie has a double layer of skin - just to make it harder to get into, no doubt. Its outer layer is rather weird looking, while the inner flesh is juicy. The inner part can be cooked or eaten raw and the flavour of the Kohlrabi can be similar to the cabbage.

46. Loquat

Image Source / Delish

This fruit looks a bit like an apricot, but inside you'll find seeds. The skin is orange like in colour while the flesh of the fruit can be white, yellow or orange. The texture is similar to a melon but you'll find this fruit to be sweet and tangy. Native to China, the Loquat can also be found across the world.

47. Mangosteen

Image Source / DelishThis mango was actually illegal in the US at one point, due to a fruit dry known for it. Its illegal status was eventually lifted, and hey presto mangosteens became in-demand and expensive! This dark purple fruit needs to have its outer layers peeled to get to the sweet edible interior.

48. Monstera Deliciosa

Image Source / DelishThis plant, native to Central America, results in large and lengthy green fruits. When it ripens, it gives off a nice odour, too, as well as a taste something like both banana and pineapple. The green scales on the outer part can be cut away to reveal the flesh you can eat underneath (which can be eaten raw).

49. Noni Fruit

Image Source / DelishThis strange looking fruit with brown spots on the outer layer actually apparently smells awful. And you think the taste might make up for that, but nope, they don't taste very good either. The reason for that could be because they're known to be very healthy - and as we know, anything that's good for you usually doesn't taste great.

50. Chayote

Image Source / Delish

One of the weird things about the chayote is that it's a fruit but it's usually cooked as though it's a vegetable. It's been compared to a potato, in that it can be boiled, baked, fried or even pickled like cucumber. People in Australia and New Zealand like to grow their own chayotes, while it is native to Mexico and Central America.

The Weirdest Shaped Fruit and Veg From Around The World

1. Romanesco Broccoli

2. Ackee

3. Akebi

4. Buddha's Hand

5. Finger Lime

6. Fiddlehead Ferns

7. Snake Beans

8. Peter Pepper

9. Sunchoke

10. Banana Squash

11. Honeyberries

12. Kumquat

13. Hala Fruit

14. Gac

15. Makrut Lime

16. Physalis

17. Achiote

18. Sapodilla

19. Watermelon Radish

20. Jícama

21. Breadfruit

22. Carambola

23. Cloudberry

24. Durian

25. Oca tubers

26. Cupuaçu

27. Cherimoya

28. Langsat

29. Lychee

30. Horned Melon

31. Black Radish

32. Atemoya

33. Black Sapote

34. Bottle Gourd

35. Canistel

36. Cucamelon

37. Dandelion Greens

38. Dulse

39. Feijoas

40. Gai Lan

41. Guanabana

42. Jabuticaba

43. Jackfruit

44. Kalamansi

45. Kohlrabi

46. Loquat

47. Mangosteen

48. Monstera Deliciosa

49. Noni Fruit

50. Chayote

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