Everyone knows that eating many different types of vegetables is important so you get all the essential vitamins and nutrients your body needs. If the selection of vegetables available at your local grocery store is less than enticing, take heart knowing that there is a wide variety of palate-pleasing varieties out there, some of which you may never heard of. While you might need some determination to track these vegetables down, the effort may be well worth the reward. Here is a list of five unusual vegetables to try.

Romanesco

This strange looking vegetable almost looks like a Christmas tree and is a variant of the cauliflower. The spirals on its head follow the Fibonacci pattern, probably making it a favorite veggie among mathematicians. Romanesco tastes similar to broccoli and is a delicious source of carotenoids, fiber, and vitamins C and K.

Celeriac

Celeriac is a hearty root vegetable that is much more common in Europe than the United States. It is packed with fiber, similar to the potato, but does not contain much starch. Although celeriac’s less-than-attractive appearance led many to call it the hobbit of the vegetable world, it is loaded with vitamins, potassium, and riboflavin.

Yardlong

Yardlongs, native to Southeast Asia, are a delicious addition to authentic stir-fry meals. Although they were named after their length, these green bean pods rarely grow longer than half a yard. Yardlongs taste similar to green beans but have a distinct texture and are abundant in fiber and vitamins A and C.

Dulse

A versatile vegetable sometimes fried like bacon or dry-roasted to top salads, dulse is a curly red sea vegetable with a salty flavor. It grows wild on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts and you’ll typically find it dried which preserves its freshness. Dulse contains an abundance of potassium, iron, and iodine.

Fiddleheads

This unique vegetable native to the New England area is part of a baby fern and almost resembles an alien tentacle with its spiral shape. Fiddleheads taste similar to asparagus and are typically boiled, chopped in a salad, or served with mayonnaise and butter. These vegetables are full of antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids and a great source of riboflavin, zinc, protein, and vitamins A and C.

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