8 Vegetables That Start With Z

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 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, 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 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 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 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, 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 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.