Gardening offers a great chance to grow fresh, tasty vegetables right in your own backyard. While popular crops like tomatoes and carrots are easy to find, there are many less common vegetables that have fallen out of favor over time but still offer great flavor and nutrition.
These vegetables often require simple care and can be a fun way to experiment with new tastes and textures. Exploring these options might even help you discover a new favorite.
Oca
You might enjoy growing oca, a tuber originally from the Andes. It’s easy to grow and adds a colorful touch to your garden with its bright, edible tubers.
Oca tubers have a tangy, slightly sweet flavor that works well in many dishes. They are a nice alternative to potatoes if you want to try something different.
Huauzontle (Aztec Broccoli)
Huauzontle, also called Aztec broccoli, is an unusual vegetable from Mexico. You can grow it easily, and both its leaves and flowering shoots are edible.
It has a mild, slightly bitter taste and adds a unique touch to your meals. You might enjoy trying this superfood that has been eaten for thousands of years.
Achocha
Achocha is a simple and rewarding plant to grow in your garden. It produces many small, crunchy fruits that taste like a mix of green pepper, green beans, and cucumber.
Achocha fruits are also fun to pickle or eat fresh. Give it a try if you want something unique and low-maintenance.
Scorzonera (black salsify)
You might know scorzonera as black salsify or oyster plant. It grows long, dark roots that taste mild and slightly sweet.
This vegetable is quite easy to grow and resists most insects and diseases. You can even leave the roots in the ground for two years to get larger ones.
Its leaves and flower buds are edible too. They add variety to your garden harvest.
Chinese Artichoke
You’ll find Chinese artichokes an interesting addition to your garden. Plant tubers about 25 cm apart and 7.5 cm deep in rows spaced 45 cm apart.
Harvest starts in October and continues through winter. You can lift tubers as needed, making it a flexible crop for you.
Hamburg Parsley (Parsley Root)
If you’re looking for a vegetable with a subtle parsley flavor, Hamburg parsley is a great choice. It’s grown mainly for its crunchy, edible root.
You can also use the leaves like regular parsley, but the root is the star here. It’s popular in some European countries, especially northern Germany.
Growing it in your garden is rewarding. The roots add a unique taste to soups and stews.
Currant Tomatoes
Currant tomatoes are small, flavorful fruits that grow on sprawling plants. You’ll find them perfect for snacking or adding a sweet touch to salads.
They need full sun, about 6-8 hours daily, to thrive. These plants are sturdy and can produce lots of tiny tomatoes.
Chufa
Chufa, also called tiger nut, is a root crop with small, edible tubers. You can grow it in your garden for a unique, nutty snack.
It prefers well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight. Keep in mind, chufa can be a heavy feeder, so your garden soil may need extra care.
Purple Potatoes
Purple potatoes add a vibrant splash of color to your garden and your plate. They have a deep, rich color that stands out among traditional potato varieties.
Growing them is similar to regular potatoes, and they offer a slightly nuttier flavor. They are a fun way to diversify your garden while enjoying something a bit different.
Escarole
Escarole is a leafy green with a slightly bitter bite that adds variety to your garden. You’ll find it great for salads, soups, and sautés.
It grows well in cooler weather, making it a good choice for early spring or fall planting. You can enjoy fresh, homegrown escarole when others might rely on store-bought greens.
Parsnips
Parsnips are a sweet and earthy root vegetable that you can easily grow in your garden. They store well through winter and even become sweeter when kept in a cool, dark place.
If you start them indoors on damp paper, you can get a jump on the season. They’re a great addition to fall and winter meals.
Turnips
Turnips are a versatile vegetable that grows well in many gardens. Both the roots and greens are edible, with the greens being nutritious and easy to cook.
You might find heirloom varieties especially rewarding to grow. They have a rich history and can add unique flavors to your meals. Turnips also mature quickly, making them a reliable choice for your garden.
Ground Nuts (Apios Americana)
Ground nuts, also called American groundnut or potato bean, are climbing vines that produce edible tubers. You can grow them alongside plants like sunchokes and mint, as they fix nitrogen in the soil.
These tubers have a nutty flavor and can be cooked like potatoes. They are native to North America but less common in gardens today.