21 Unusual Root Vegetables You Should Try

radical vegetables are an often look across treasure trove of nutrients and flavors . While potatoes and carrot are staples in many households , there exist a domain of unusual root vegetable waiting to be explore . These unequalled roots not only add diverseness to your dieting but also proffer classifiable tastes and grain . Trying these lesser - known vegetable can expand your culinary apparent horizon and provide a bracing twirl to your meals .

1. Celeriac

Often dubbed as the “ wretched duckling ” of the vegetable human beings , celeriac is a stem vegetable with a classifiable , down-to-earth flavor . Its fierce , brown outside may not be appealing , but its creamy livid flesh is delightful . Celeriac is various , often used in soups , stews , and even raw in salad . Did you know that celeriac is closely related to cultivated celery ? Despite its unconventional appearance , it offers a mild , fruity taste that can complement a variety of dishes . A piffling preparation go a long way with this vegetable , making it a hidden gem in the culinary public .

2. Salsify

Salsify , sometimes referred to as the “ huitre works , ” boasts a subtle , huitre - like savor . This singular gustatory modality sets it asunder in the realm of root vegetables . Salsify resembles a long , slender Pastinaca sativa with a dark , tough cutis that hides a creamy ashen interior . This various etymon can be boiled , mashed , or roasted , making it a great addition to various dishes . Its mild taste pairs well with other veggie and nitty-gritty . Salsify is a delightful surprise for those willing to jeopardize beyond the ordinary .

3. Oca

Oca , a vibrant root vegetable aboriginal to the Andes , is celebrate for its bright colors and tangy sapidity . resemble small , bumpy Irish potato , oca comes in tone of red , yellow , and orange . It adds a splash of color and zest to any repast . When prepare , Oxalis tuberosa becomes tender , with a slightly sweet and sour taste , idealistic for roasting or boiling . This tuber is not only visually appealing but also a nutritive plus to the diet . Explore oca for a taste of South American cuisine in your kitchen .

4. Jerusalem Artichoke

Jerusalem artichoke plant , also have a go at it as Jerusalem artichoke , are tuber with a nutty flavor akin to artichoke . These knobby , brownish roots are related to helianthus , offering a unique taste experience . Jerusalem artichoke can be eat on raw or fudge , providing versatility in the kitchen . Their crisp texture make them a bully accession to salads , while roasting brings out their instinctive redolence . A delightful alternative to traditional tooth root vegetables , Jerusalem artichokes are worth exploring for their distinct flavour profile .

5. Malanga

Malanga , a tropical root veggie , is a buckram delight commonly used in Caribbean cuisine . Its nutty tang and creamy texture make it a popular pick for soups , stews , and fritter . This root ’s peel is rough , cover a sinewy , bloodless interior that becomes sensitive when manipulate . Malanga offers a comforting , hearty option for meal , provide a taste of the Torrid Zone . With its productive nutritional visibility , including dietary roughage and all-important minerals , malanga is a various and healthy ingredient .

6. Taro

Taro , a staple in many Asiatic and Pacific Island culinary art , is a tooth root veg with a mildly angelical flavor . Its brown , hairy exterior conceals a starchy , royal - speckled inside . dasheen is incredibly versatile , used in both savory and sweet dish aerial . It is often boiled , mashed , or fry , providing a unequalled grain and taste . Beyond its culinary uses , cocoyam is celebrated for its nutritional benefits , tout vitamins and mineral crucial for a balanced diet . Discover cocoyam ’s unparalleled preference and ethnical significance .

7. Yacon

Yacon , cognize for its juicy , sweet nip , is a root vegetable that resembles a potato . Unlike its stiff counterpart , yacon is primarily composed of water and natural sugars , offering a refreshing taste . This root is often enjoyed raw , sliced into salads for a crisp , orchard apple tree - similar texture . Yacon sirup is a popular sweetener choice , utilized by wellness enthusiasts . With its low - nutritionist’s calorie count and prebiotic properties , yacon is both a tasty and healthful increase to the diet .

8. Sunchoke

Sunchokes , also called Jerusalem Cynara scolymus , are small tubers with a nutty , artichoke - like tang . Their knobbly show might be deceive , but their taste is a delightful surprise . These genus Tuber can be fix in various ways : laugh at , sautéed , or pureed . Their versatility and typical feeling make them a worthful ingredient in culinary creation . sunchoke are also fertile in inulin , a prebiotic that supports digestive health . Explore sunchokes for a nutritious and flavoursome theme vegetable option .

9. Burdock Root

Burdock root , a staple fibre in Asian cuisine , is treasure for its earthy , slightly fresh flavor . Its farseeing , slender physical body and rough pelt hide a crunchy inside that can be eaten raw or cooked . normally used in stir - fries , soup , and teatime , burdock root offers a unequalled taste experience . It is also known for its medicinal properties , used in traditional medicine to support digestion and detoxification . Discover clotbur root for its culinary versatility and wellness benefit .

10. Parsnip

Parsnips , with their sweet , nutty feeling , are a cherish root veggie in wintertime dishes . Resembling white carrot , they offer a creamy grain and rich perceptiveness visibility . Ideal for roasting , mashing , or adding to soup , parsnips add together profundity and warmth to recipes . Their natural sweetness intensifies with cooking , make them a favorite in consolation foods . Parsnips also provide essential nutrients like fiber and vitamin , contributing to a balanced diet with their delicious gustatory perception .

11. Cassava

Cassava , a staple in many tropic neighborhood , is a root veg known for its gamey sugar content . Its compact , brown hide encases a white , starchy interior that is both various and filling . Often used to make tapioca and cassava flour , this stem is a key constituent in numerous traditional dishes . Cassava must be properly cooked to hit toxins , unlocking its nutritional potential . Its versatility and role in food security make casava a meaning crop worldwide .

12. Lotus Root

Lotus antecedent , a basic in Asian culinary art , is celebrated for its crunchy grain and balmy , slightly mellifluous gustatory modality . Its distinctive coming into court , strike off by circular holes , add together optical appeal to dishes . Used in fuss - fries , soups , and salad , lotus root provides a satisfying crunch and absorbs flavors well . It is also lauded for its health benefits , containing vitamin and minerals that tolerate overall wellness . Embrace lotus root for its unique texture and nutritional offerings .

13. Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi , sometimes called the “ German turnip , ” is a root veggie with a mild , sweet savor . Its bulbous form , overlay in green or purple skin , is both challenging and versatile . turnip cabbage can be eat on cutting or cooked , adding a laconic grain to salads or a tender bite when guy . Its subtle taste pairs well with a variety of dishes , making it a versatile ingredient . research kohlrabi for its delightful crunch and adaptability in the kitchen .

14. Yam

yam , trenchant from sweet white potato , are tuber with a teetotal , starchy texture . Their rough , dark skin and orange or lily-white human body define their hearty nature . Yams are a staple in African and Caribbean cuisines , propose a satisfying , earthy relish . They are often boiled , roasted , or coquette , serving as a consoling side beauty . Rich in carbohydrates and essential nutrients , yam provide free energy and sustenance in each bite .

15. Rutabaga

Rutabaga , a ascendant vegetable with a sweet , down-to-earth flavor , is a crisscross between a turnip and a cabbage . Its pear-shaped shape and purple - tinged top make it a standout addition to meals . This vegetable is versatile , suitable for roasting , mash , or incorporate into soup . Its natural sweetness raise the profoundness of flavors in beauty , making it a popular choice for comfort food . Packed with vitamin and fibers , rutabaga plant is both a delicious and nutritious choice .

16. Ulluco

Ulluco , native to the Andes , is a origin veggie known for its vivacious coloration and alone texture . These small , colorful tubers come in shades of pink , yellowish , and green , tote up a visual feast to your plate . Their crisp grain and mild flavor make them suitable for salad and stews . Ulluco ’s ability to keep on its colour and crunch even when make makes it a favorite in culinary creations . Discover ulluco for a splash of color and taste from South America .

17. Turmeric Root

Turmeric root , a powerhouse of feeling and nutrition , is renowned for its vivacious orangeness color and earthy tasting . Its papery skin conceals the burnished interior that is synonymous with spiciness and wellness . Often used in curries and teas , turmeric is lionize for its anti - inflammatory properties . This base lend depth and warmheartedness to cup of tea , offer both flavor and health benefit . raise your meals with turmeric root , a raw material in traditional music and cuisine alike .

18. Daikon Radish

Daikon daikon , a versatile ancestor vegetable , is love for its crisp texture and soft savor . Its smooth , lily-white exterior and tall , green top make it a staple fibre in Asian cuisines . This Raphanus sativus is often pickled , grated , or added to soups , offering a refreshing crunch . Daikon is humiliated in calories and packed with nutrients , lend to a balanced dieting . Its ability to absorb feel makes it a valuable addition to a variety of stunner .

19. Turnip

Turnips , with their slightly peppery flavor , are a definitive root vegetable witness in many traditional dish . Their orotund shape and purple - tinged summit add role to meal . Whether roasted , mashed , or added to lather , turnip provide a full-blooded , nutritious option . They are rich in vitamin C and offer a satisfying grain that complement other veg . white turnip are a timeless favourite , valued for their taste and versatility in the kitchen .

20. Beetroot

Beetroot , celebrated for its thick ruby hue and earthy sweetness , is a versatile ascendent veg . Its vivacious color and savor make it a standout ingredient in salads , soups , and juices . plenteous in antioxidant and character , beetroot hold up heart wellness and sum up a born fragrancy to smasher . Its versatility stretch to both savory and sweet recipes , offer a burst of color and food . search Beta vulgaris rubra for a nutritious cost increase and delicious gustatory sensation experience .

21. Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes , cherished for their natural fragrancy and vibrant coloring material , are a raw material in many kitchen . Their orange figure and fluent tegument make them a versatile and delicious root vegetable . Packed with vitamins A and C , sweet potatoes leave essential nutrient while add together warmth and comfort to meals . Whether bake , mashed , or rib , they offer a perfumed and satisfying flavor . Sweet potatoes are a beloved alternative for their gustation and nutritional benefits .