Exotic Foods

“Human beings, vegetables, or comic dust, we all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player” - Albert Einstein

Perhaps it no surprise that only 20 percent of Americans eat the recommended five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables a day. And it doesn’t help that the top vegetable consumed is potatoes in the form of French fries.

In an effort to encourage Americas to try new foods, MensHealth.com has published The Best Foods You’ve Never Heard Of. With 25 exotic flavors, I’ll cover half here and complete the list in my next post.

• Acai – the (ah-SIGH-ee) berry is the size of a grape, tastes like a chocolate blueberry, and packs more antioxidants than blueberries and pomegranates. While the berries may be hard to find, Acai juice is sold in many grocery stores as a health drink.
• Aioli - (eye-OH-lee) is a light sauce from southern France made of olive oil, eggs, and garlic that is a healthy alternative to mayonnaise. It is traditionally served with seafood, hard-boiled eggs, and vegetables.
• Alligator – combines the best of surf and turf with omega-3 fatty acids and muscle-building protein. I’ve tried it twice and it tasted like fishy chicken.
• Amaranth – this mild, nutty taste was beloved by the Incas and you’ll love it too. It cooks like rice or wheat berries but has more fiber and protein.
• Aronia Berry – also known as the chokeberry, perhaps for its bitter, tart taste? Like the acai this is a purple berry packed with antioxidants. Find it in a mixed juice called Oki.
• Celeriac - loaded with bone-building vitamin K, and vitamin C and potassium. It can be shredded with cole slaw. My family likes it mixed 50/50 with mashed potatoes. This winter root vegetable has a celery taste.
• Fenugreek - a component of most curry powders. Can be used to spice up soups and stews.
• Ginger – a staple of Asian cooking that is known to aid digestion. My wife loves sugared ginger candy.
• Goldenberries- a great source of vitamin A and disease--fighting antioxidants. They look like yellow tomatoes wrapped in a Japanese paper lantern.
• Hemp Seed Nuts - Similar in taste to sunflower seeds (and no, you won’t get high.) Packs more protein per gram than beef or fish.
• Holy Basil - popular Indian herb, also known as tulsi, is best used fresh for its cancer fighting properties. Can’t find it? Try fresh sweet basil instead.
• Jicama – this root vegetable looks like a turnip but is juicy and slightly sweet. It reminds me of licorice. It can be sliced for salads or cooked like a baked potato.

Bottom Line

Fruits and vegetables can be fun. Search the Internet for unusual salads that mix some of the items above. I get many ideas by Googling “recipe salad” + an ingredient.