Red and yellow peppers (on SUPER sale!), cukes, broc slaw, raspberries, melons, squash, onions, white eggplant, radishes…


Wait, white eggplant?


Am I the last dinosaur who hasn’t ever tried this before? I love trying new fruits and veggies when I see them on sale at the store, and definitely when they look ripe and ready to eat.


So, today’s listmania is a list of fruits/veggies I’ve tried that are a bit off of the beaten path, and what I thought of them! My rating system is 0-5 apples.


To Beet or not to Beet- A fruit and veggie quest


–Starfruit– I had only had small bites of this until about 3 years ago. I was drawn in by its color and the potential to make pretty salads by cutting it into its’ fancy star shape. Verdict? Fun for the shape, so-so flavor. 3 apples.


–Cherimoya– I tried it once in a sample at the co-op, but was scared off by the price. When I finally did find it on sale (miraculous, it is never on sale in MN), I was delighted. A lot of work to eat, but kind of like a sweeter spoonable banana! Try it if you haven’t! 4 1/2 apples!


–Golden raspberries– After trying regular raspberries hundreds of times, I thought I’d try the golden ones. Maybe I had bad luck, but they had no flavor or sweetness whatsoever. So, for this particular batch at least? 1 apple. 


–Cactus– I’ve still only bought it pre-cut, as I’m afraid to cut it off the paddle. But delicious in a spicy salad. 5 apples!


–Spaghetti Squash– didn’t try this baby until about 4 years ago. Now its a must have in the winter when nothing else is fresh. Very versatile. I like to bake it and put salsa on top. 4 apples!


– Kiwano/ “horned” melon– So cute, I thought. There couldn’t be a gross melon, could there? DO NOT TRY THIS MELON IT IS AWFUL! After my horrible experience I googled it out of sheer disbelief that a fruit could be flavored like garbage. Turns out- others share my distaste. Consider yourself warned- I wish I had been. Negative 300 apples.


–Okra. I never tried this until I was an adult, but once I did? Sold. Forever. I’m not talking fried or in gumbo, I mean plain. As a dish of its’ own. I like to put tomato sauce on it for the goo though. 4 apples!


–Champagne mangoes– When I picked one of these babies up, I thought “can this be worth it- a smaller mango for the same price?” At first taste… Yes, it is worth it. Just when you think a mango can’t be sweeter? It is sweeter.


–Fresh figs. Now, I had dried figs for years before trying a fresh one. I was at a Persian market and they had fresh figs in, so I had to try them. Verdict? Decent, but I’d rather have the dried ones! Maybe if I prepared them in a dessert instead of just eating them fresh from the carton, though. 3 apples.


–Baby bok choy– Okay, so not a very exotic vegg, but given my hatred of all lettuces, my greens exposure was pretty much Spinach Spinach, Chard, Spinach, Kale, Spinach, Spinach for most of my life. Then, a few years ago, I thought I’d try this one. While chopping up, ready to saute with some lemon and garlic, I popped a bit of the stalk in my mouth just out of curiosity. Whoa- if its this good raw, I thought, what will it taste like cooked? Just as good, but I’m thoroughly impressed to find any green other than spinach that I will eat raw! 4 apples!


What fruits and veggies have you gone out on a limb to try? Any that are still on your list for a good sale or a rainy day? Do you know a good way to prepare white eggplant?


Happy Summer to all- I’m gearing up for farmer’s market season! (Yes, its not truly a year round thing up North).


Meri