15 strange vegetables you should consider growing

Have you ever wondered what makes some vegetables look weird and special? From purple potatoes to spiral-shaped cauliflower, strange vegetables are becoming more popular in home gardens. These unique plants aren’t just fun to grow – they can make your meals more exciting and help save rare plant varieties from disappearing. Whether you’re a curious gardener or someone who loves trying new foods, growing these uncommon vegetables can be a rewarding adventure that adds color and variety to your garden and dinner plate.

What makes a vegetable ‘strange’ and why consider growing them?

Strange vegetables are uncommon, heirloom, or lesser-known varieties that differ significantly from the typical produce you find at your local grocery store. Think kohlrabi with its alien-like appearance, or Romanesco cauliflower with its mesmerizing spiral patterns. These unique plants offer gardeners a chance to step outside their comfort zone.

Why should you bother growing these unusual crops ? The reasons are quite compelling. First, they can diversify your diet in ways you never imagined. Instead of the same old carrots and lettuce, you could be harvesting purple carrots or exotic wasabi radish.

There’s also a financial incentive to consider. Many strange vegetables command premium prices in specialty markets, with some varieties selling for $5-$8 per pound. Growing your own means you can enjoy these gourmet ingredients without the hefty price tag.

Beyond personal benefits, cultivating unusual vegetables promotes biodiversity in your home garden. This diversity helps create a more resilient ecosystem and preserves genetic varieties that might otherwise disappear from cultivation.

15 Unique and Strange Vegetables to Grow in Your Garden

Uncommon Delights: Colorful and Flavorful Options

Let’s explore some of the most fascinating strange vegetables you can grow. Kohlrabi, often called the “space cabbage,” produces a bulbous stem that tastes like a mild turnip. It’s surprisingly easy to grow and thrives in cooler weather.

Sunchokes, also known as Jerusalem artichokes, develop underground tubers that have a nutty, sweet flavor. These perennial plants can grow quite tall and produce beautiful yellow flowers before yielding their edible roots.

Romanesco cauliflower deserves a spot in every adventurous gardener’s plot. Its mathematical spiral formations make it look more like art than food, while its flavor combines the best of broccoli and cauliflower.

Black carrots aren’t just visually striking – they pack intense flavor and deep purple color that can transform any dish. Daikon radish grows into massive white roots that are staples in Asian cuisine.

Oca, a South American tuber, produces small, colorful roots with a tangy taste. Taro requires warm, humid conditions but rewards patient gardeners with large, starchy roots perfect for tropical dishes.

Other fascinating options include purple Brussels sprouts, yellow beets, glass gem corn, rainbow Swiss chard, dragon tongue beans, mouse melons, purple top turnips, and various unusual gourds that double as decorations.

Nutritional Benefits of Strange Vegetables

These unusual crops aren’t just conversation starters – they’re nutritional powerhouses. Purple carrots contain high levels of anthocyanins, the same compounds found in blueberries that provide anti-inflammatory benefits.

Many strange vegetables offer unique phytochemicals and vitamins that common varieties lack. The diverse colors often indicate different antioxidant profiles, meaning a rainbow of unusual vegetables can provide broader nutritional coverage than standard options.

Sunchokes are particularly rich in inulin, a prebiotic fiber that supports digestive health. Kohlrabi provides vitamin C and fiber while being low in calories. These nutritional advantages make the extra effort of growing unusual varieties worthwhile for health-conscious gardeners.

Tips for Successfully Growing Strange Vegetables

Growing unusual vegetables does come with some challenges. Many require specific soil conditions – some need acidic soil, others demand excellent drainage, and certain varieties only thrive in particular climate zones.

We recommend starting seeds indoors for better control over growing conditions. This approach gives delicate or slow-germinating seeds the best chance of success. Using raised beds can solve drainage issues while giving you better control over soil composition.

Disease-resistant varieties should be your first choice when available. Since unusual vegetables might be new to your garden ecosystem, choosing robust cultivars helps ensure success.

Patience becomes essential with strange vegetables. Some varieties take significantly longer to mature than common crops. Certain gourds and root vegetables might need an entire growing season or more to reach harvest.

Keep detailed records of your planting dates, growing conditions, and results. This information becomes invaluable for future growing seasons, especially since advice for unusual varieties can be harder to find.

The Environmental Impact of Growing Unusual Vegetables

Cultivating rare vegetables can actually benefit the environment when done thoughtfully. Using organic growing methods and minimizing chemical inputs reduces your garden’s environmental footprint compared to conventional agriculture.

These diverse crops often improve soil health through varied root structures and different nutrient requirements. Crop rotation becomes more effective when you have a wider variety of plants to work with.

Growing unusual vegetables contributes to seed saving efforts and genetic diversity preservation. Every gardener who maintains heirloom or rare varieties helps ensure these genetics remain available for future generations. This conservation work becomes increasingly important as commercial agriculture focuses on fewer varieties.

The reduced transportation needs also matter. Instead of shipping exotic produce from distant locations, you’re growing it right in your backyard, eliminating those carbon costs entirely.

Exploring the Culinary Uses of Strange Vegetables

The kitchen adventures begin once you start harvesting these unique crops. Roasting Romanesco creates a stunning and delicious side dish that’s sure to impress dinner guests. The vegetable’s natural beauty shines when simply prepared with olive oil and seasonings.

Pickling works wonderfully for many unusual vegetables. Sunchokes pickle beautifully and develop complex flavors during the preservation process. This technique also helps extend your harvest enjoyment well into winter months.

Cultural cuisine connections often influence vegetable choices. Growing daikon radish opens doors to authentic Asian cooking, while oca connects you to traditional South American flavors. These vegetables can make your home cooking more authentic and interesting.

Many unusual vegetables work well in familiar preparations with exciting results. Purple carrots can replace regular carrots in any recipe while adding dramatic color. Dragon tongue beans can be prepared like regular green beans but offer superior flavor and visual appeal.

Engaging with the Gardening Community: Sharing Your Strange Vegetable Journey

The gardening community embraces unusual vegetable enthusiasts with open arms. Online forums become treasure troves of advice, seed sources, and growing tips from experienced growers who’ve tackled these challenges before.

Seed sharing represents one of the most rewarding aspects of growing rare varieties. Many gardeners freely exchange seeds and cuttings, building networks that help preserve unusual varieties while reducing costs for everyone involved.

Popular specialty seed companies like Baker Creek and Seed Savers Exchange cater specifically to adventurous gardeners seeking heirloom and unusual varieties. These sources often provide detailed growing instructions and historical information about their offerings.

Sharing your growing experiences helps build the collective knowledge base around unusual vegetables. Your successes and failures contribute valuable information that helps other gardeners in similar climates or conditions.

The personal satisfaction of growing something truly unique creates natural conversation starters. Garden tours become more interesting, and you’ll find yourself connecting with fellow gardeners who share your passion for the unusual and extraordinary.

FAQ

What are some strange vegetables that grow in the USA?

Some strange vegetables that grow in the USA include Jerusalem artichoke, groundnut, kohlrabi, cushions squash, ramps, nodding onion, chayote, wild mustard, cornsalad, and mouse melon. These vegetables have unique characteristics and culinary uses that set them apart from common varieties.

What does kohlrabi look like and taste like?

Kohlrabi looks like an alien-looking cabbage with a bulbous stem. It offers a flavor comparable to a mild turnip, featuring a crisp texture akin to an apple, making it both visually interesting and delicious.

What is the benefit of growing strange vegetables?

Growing strange vegetables diversifies your diet by introducing unique flavors and nutrition. Additionally, they often have a higher market value, offering financial incentives while promoting biodiversity in your garden.

How do you successfully grow strange vegetables?

To successfully grow strange vegetables, start seeds indoors for better conditions and use raised beds for optimal drainage. Choose disease-resistant varieties and keep detailed records of your planting to improve future yields.

What environmental impact does growing unusual vegetables have?

Growing unusual vegetables can positively impact the environment by promoting organic methods, enhancing soil health, preserving genetic diversity, and reducing transportation emissions, leading to a more sustainable garden.

How can you use strange vegetables in cooking?

Strange vegetables can be used in various culinary ways, such as roasting, pickling, or integrating them into familiar recipes. They enhance the visual appeal and flavor of dishes, offering exciting new options in the kitchen.