Are you ready to surprise your taste buds? While the rest of the world dines on ordinary veggies, you could be feasting on something far more exotic. Let’s challenge your garden's status quo and journey into the world of unusual vegetables.
Most people stick to the predictable classics, but who wants to eat the same old thing every day? One of the main advantages of growing your own is that you can experiment and try fruit and veg that you would never find in the supermarket. With that in mind here are my favourite "strange" fruit and veg that you should try growing this year!
1. Japanese Wineberry
While you may first mistake this for a raspberry, it is slightly different. One key area that it is different is the taste! These do taste like raspberries, but they are the sweetest raspberries you have ever tried! If you like raspberries, then you will love wineberries.
They are also very easy to grow, which you would expect once you realise they are very closely related to raspberries. If you can grow a raspberry, then you can grow a wineberry!
Want to grow it? Find the plant here >> https://geni.us/C98yJ
2. Red Kiwi
These are mini Kiwi, roughly gooseberry-sized (perfect for growing in the UK). But the colour isn't the only difference, these are sweeter than a regular Kiwi too!
Another strange and unusual fruit that I think tastes better than the original. Kiwis are quite easy to grow too - even in the UK! These hardy vines are fully hardy and can even be grown outside, although I do grow them in the greenhouse in Lancashire.
Want to grow it? Find the plant here >>
3. Watermelon Radish
This is a Chinese heirloom radish with a bright pink centre that resembles a watermelon - hence the name (creative us gardeners, aren't we!).
The colour is not the only difference ad they taste a little different too, not as peppery as a normal radish and a little milder or even sweeter. Super easy to grow, and they love the conditions in the UK - grow from seed, which is easily available online and cheap too.
Want to grow it? Find seeds here >>
4. Jerusalem Artichoke
While these may not be as unknown as many of the other fruit and veg on this list, in my opinion, they are criminally underrated. Not that many people grow them, and I am not sure why.
These sunflower cousins are super easy to grow, look very nice when in flower and taste absolutely delicious! What's more, they are fairly expensive to buy from the supermarket but very prolific when grown yourself, meaning you get a lot of bang for your buck.
5. Salsify
Another criminally undergrown crop, at least in the UK, is Salsify. Also known as "oyster plant," it is a unique root vegetable that thrives in the UK's cool climate. Valued for its subtle oyster-like flavour, it is delicious in soups, stews, or roasted.
Grown commonly in France and used in much French cuisine, this vegetable is almost unheard of in Britain.
6. Pineapple Guava
Now I will forgive you for having never heard of this one! I personally had no idea it existed until I saw it for sale on Roots a few years back and bought myself one for the greenhouse. Properly known as Feijoa Sellowiana this is a native to South America (hence the greenhouse!), the flowers are gorgeous but the fruits it produces are even better!
While it can withstand mild frosts, protecting young plants from severe cold is advisable. It is often grown as an ornamental plant but can produce fruit in warmer, protected conditions, especially when hand-pollinated or grown in a conservatory or greenhouse.
Want to grow it? Find the plant here >>
7. Okra
Okra, also known as "ladies' fingers," is a warm-loving veggie common in southern American cooking. Its mucilaginous properties make it a natural thickener for dishes like gumbo. Though typically associated with tropical climates, okra can be grown in the UK—in a greenhouse!
8. Paw Paw
While this sounds very exotic and as if it would be impossible to grow in the UK, this American plant actually loves the climate over here! It is fully hardy and will thrive outdoors.
The fruits can be eaten straight from the plant and taste a lot like bananas.
Want to grow it? Find the plant here >> https://www.rootsplants.co.uk/products/paw-paw-plant-asimina-triloba
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