Vegetables that start with Z are food with a diverse range of tastes, textures, and culinary possibilities. In this journey, you and I will explore a variety of vegetables and their own story to tell.
You will learn about the origin, common name, visual aesthetic, texture, flavor, and uses of each veggie in different countries and regions. Though many of these Z-initial foods are culinary veggies, some offer other uses.
Now, you should first look at all the “Z” vegetables I will introduce to you today.
8 Popular Vegetables That Start with Z with Filters
Explore the wonderful vegetables that start with Z through the helping hand of the filter system. This tool can categorize them into vegetables used for dishes, vegetables for beverages, vegetables for garnish, fruit vegetables, and exotic vegetables.
Zebra Eggplant
- For Dishes
- Fruit Vegetables
Zebra eggplant is a vegetable coming from Africa, particularly West Africa. Sometimes referred to as the Ghana zebra eggplant or African garden egg, they are small, round, or egg-shaped with alternating light and dark green stripes.
On the texture side, zebra eggplants are firm and slightly crunchy when young, but they become tender when mature. Also, their flavor is mild and slightly bitter, similar to traditional eggplants.
Zebra eggplants are widely used in African cuisine, particularly in stews, curries, and sauces. They are also used for pickling and are a key ingredient in traditional West African dishes like garden egg stew or garden egg sauce.
Zizania latifolia
- Exotic
- For Dishes
Zizania latifolia is more commonly known as manchurian wild rice or water bamboo, an aquatic vegetable originating from East Asia, specifically China and Japan. The plant has tall, slender, reed-like stems that rise above the water, typically growing in marshy or aquatic environments.
With hollow stems, these wild rice can reach considerable heights, offering a crisp and crunchy texture, while the flavor is mild and slightly sweet, reminiscent of young bamboo shoots.
This vegetable is a versatile ingredient in various Asian cuisines, often used in stir-fries, soups, and salads. In Japanese cuisine, zizania latifolia is a key component of dishes like sasa kamaboko (cured sumiri), where it is used to wrap fish cake.
Zucchini
- For Dishes
- Fruit Vegetables
Zucchini, or courgette, is a type of fruit vegetable in the Americas, specifically from Mesoamerica. They come with an elongated, cylindrical shape, smooth, vibrant green skin, and tender, white flesh.
These zucchinis have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a tender, crisp texture, ideal for making stuffed dishes, baked specialties, or stews.
Zucchini Blossoms
- Exotic
- For Garnish
Zucchini blossoms are flowers of the zucchini or courgette plant. They are delicate, edible flowers with a velvety texture and a subtle, slightly sweet flavor with floral notes.
The blossoms are particularly used in Mediterranean, Italian, and Mexican cooking. They are often stuffed with cheese or herbs, battered, and fried, creating a crispy and savory treat.
Zucchini blossoms are also enjoyed in Mediterranean countries like Greece and Turkey. They are used similarly to Italian cuisine, often stuffed with a mixture of rice, herbs, and sometimes ground meat.
Zingiber Officinale
- Exotic
- For Beverages
- For Dishes
Zingiber officinale is best known by the name “ginger”, a root vegetable with a bumpy, brown exterior and ivory or pale yellow interior. Ginger is firm and dense, while the flavor is warm, peppery, and slightly citrusy.
With various forms, this fragrant root comes in fresh ginger root, dried ginger, and ground ginger. Zingiber officinale is used in a wide array of cuisines, from Asia to the Caribbean, especially for stir-fries, curries, and soups, as well as in desserts like gingerbread.
Zongchak
- Exotic
- For Dishes
Zongchak is a type of legume from the northeastern region of India. Known as stink bean, twisted cluster bean, and bitter bean, zongchak is a long, flat, green pod containing green seeds.
With a firm and slightly crunchy profile when cooked, stink beans have a strong and divisive flavor, which combines nutty, bitter, and savory notes with a hint of umami.
Zea Mays
- For Dishes
- Fruit Vegetables
Zea mays, commonly known as corn or maize, is a vital cereal grain that originates from the Americas, particularly from regions that now include Mexico. Corn is technically a fruit but is used as a vegetable in the culinary world.
The most widely consumed part of the corn plant is the corn cob, which is elongated with corn kernels tightly arranged around and along the cob. There are some common varieties with the texture varying depending on the variety and the stage of ripeness.
Sweet corn, harvested in its immature stage, is known for its tender, providing juicy kernels and sweet flavor. In contrast, dent corn is starchy and used primarily for cornmeal and animal feed.
Zebra Tomato
- For Dishes
- Fruit Vegetables
Zebra tomato is a fruit vegetable possessing stripe patterns and colors, such as green, yellow, or red stripes. With a smooth and firm texture, zebra tomatoes are a harmonious blend of sweet and tangy notes.
Often enjoyed fresh in salads, sandwiches, and salsas and roasted, grilled, or used for sauces, zebra tomatoes appear in the classic Caprese salad.
Fruits That Start with Z
Are you surprised that fruits are even considered vegetables? To know more, you should not miss a few options that bear such a concept:
Zestar Apple
Zestar apple is a crisp, juicy apple variety known for its sweet-tart flavor with a hint of brown sugar, which is ideal for eating fresh.
Zhe Fruit
Zhe fruit is a rare, berry-like fruit from China, offering a sweet and slightly tart taste, often eaten fresh or used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Zucchini
Zucchini is a summer squash with green or yellow skin, white flesh, and edible flowers.
These are only a few prime candidates, as there are more fruits beginning with Z still waiting for you to uncover.
Let’s get back to the topic of vegetables; let me know what you think about my suggestions in the comment section. Tell your friends about the vegetables that start with Z to spread the love for these amazing foods.
Do you want to discover vegetables that begin with other letters? Scroll down for many other informative posts!
Jamie Scott
Editor in Chief, Senior Content Writer
Expertise
Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Western Food Evaluation Expert
Education
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts
Local Community College, New York, NY
Jamie Scott is a skilled culinary expert and content creator specializing in Western cuisine. With over 15 years in the culinary field and formal training from Le Cordon Bleu, Paris, Jamie deeply understands how to blend nutrition with delicious flavors. His passion for cooking matches his commitment to making healthy eating accessible and enjoyable.
On Fifteen.net, Jamie brings a fresh perspective to classic dishes and beverages, offering readers insightful recipes, cooking tips, and a fresh view on meal planning that emphasizes taste, health, and simplicity.