Have you ever decided to cook based on foods in alphabetical order? If you haven’t, then it may be time to consider looking at the top foods that start with Z. These foods will surprise you and may become part of your repertoire.
List of Food Names that Begin With The Letter Z
Here’s our list of fruits, vegetables, cooked food, and whole foods that begin with letter Z:
Condiments, Spices, and Additives
#1. Zest
While zest commonly refers to lemon or lime zest, this is the rind of the fruit that leaves behind the scent and slight flavor. Fruit zest is very common in desserts, preserves, and especially in cocktails. This is a great way to add flavor without changing the texture or adding more calories.
#2. Za’atar
This Middle Eastern blend of spices is essential in making dishes like hummus and babaganoush. Za’atar contains thyme, oregano, marjoram, sesame seeds, and sometimes sumac and cumin. This spice blend is great for your health because it contains herbs and spices that promote immunity, prevent inflammation, and protect against oxidative stress.
#3. Zigeuner Sauce
Zigeuner sauce comes from Belgium and it is often regarded as a Gypsy food. The sauce contains tomato paste, paprika, bell peppers, and in some cases, onions. Preparation varies, but this sauce is often used with sausages, potatoes, and meats.
Fruits and Vegetables
#4. Zucchini
Also called courgette, this summer squash is green on the outside and yellow inside. You will usually find zucchini as a side dish, grilled, baked, but nowadays, you can even get it fried. This vegetable is very healthy, as it is low in calories but high in vitamins and minerals.
#5. Zapote
This is a Central and South American fruit that has a strong malty and sweet flavor. Zapote ranges in color from red to pink, and people eat it raw, but can also use it in beverages. This fruit is also a great source of vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin E, potassium, and fiber.
#6. Zhe
Zhe is a Chinese fruit that is relative to mulberry. The fruit is small and pink, but extremely flavorful. You can find this fruit in some Asian countries, usually by the following names: cudrang, mandarin melon berry, silkworm thorn, zhe, or che.
#7. Zigzag Vine Fruit
This Australian fruit has a slightly tangy and orange-like flavor. Zigzag vine fruit is usually part of sauces and can be a topping in many dishes. This fruit grows in clusters on an oddly shaped vine, usually only in the Australian rainforest.
#8. Zwetschge
Zwetschge is simply a German variation of the plum, and it is popular especially in Central Europe. This fruit is part of table decorations, jams, desserts, and even chocolate. Zwetschge is also a great source of vitamins A, K, and C.
Prepared Dishes
#9. Ziti
While technically this is a type of pasta, ziti is often part of a popular dish known as baked ziti. This Italian-American food consists of ziti pasta covered by Napolitan-style tomato sauce, cheese, and seasoning. If you are looking for comfort food after a long and hard day, this is the perfect dish.
#10. Zuccotto
Zuccotto is an Italian dessert that consists of brandy, cocoa powder, cake, and ice cream. Because it has a shape like a dome, some people say that it was inspired by the dome of Florence. Others say it resembles a cardinal’s skullcap, which is zucchetto in Italian.
#11. Zwieback
This cracker is common in Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and the Scandinavian countries. Zwieback comes from crisp, sweet bread made with eggs, which is then baked twice. This biscuit or cracker is often a breakfast food, though it can be part of a tea or a snack.
#12. Zarzuela de Mariscos
This Spanish dish is simply a seafood stew, which is usually accompanied by rice. It resembles a French bouillabaisse, but Zarzuela is more rustic and contains a hint of almonds. You can order this dish in the coastal regions of Spain, but it is particularly famous in the Catalunya region.
#13. Zopf
This is a type of Swiss or Bavarian sweet bread made of white flour, eggs, butter, and yeast. The flavor resembles a yolk because it is also coated with egg yolk to obtain a caramel crust. This bread can be breakfast food, but it is consumed at all times of the day.
#14. Zoni
Zoni is a Japanese soup that contains mochi cakes, and it is traditionally prepared for the Japanese New Year holiday. There are many variations of this soup, but if it doesn’t contain mochi it can have taro and tofu instead. Recently, people add some sort of meat, including chicken, fish, or meatballs.
#15. Zigeunersalat
Also referred to as “gypsy salad”, this potato salad is popular in Germany and Switzerland. Zigeunersalat consists of potatoes, peas, salami, Swiss cheese, pickles, French dressing, and anchovies. You may never see this dish, but you can make it at home for a variation on traditional potato salad.
#16. Zimtsterne
This is a German Christmas cookie that resembles a star. Zimtsterne contains cinnamon, almonds, eggs, sugar, and lemon zest. You can find these cookies in German holiday fairs and cafes.
#17. Zeppole
Zeppole is an Italian doughnut topped with powdered sugar and usually filled with custard, jelly, cannoli pastry cream, or butter and honey. In recent years, zeppole contains ricotta cheese and may also contain fruit. You can find this dessert in any Italian restaurant and bakery.
#18. Zabaione
This is another Italian dessert or beverage made with egg yolk, sugar, and sweet wine. If you find it in dessert form, it resembles a soft custard. Zabaione may also contain brandy or cognac instead of wine.
#19. Zerde
Zerde is a Turkish dessert that resembles a soft pudding. This dish consists of rice colored with saffron, and it is reserved for very special occasions, like weddings and birthdays. While this dessert varies from region to region, it always contains water and rice.
#20. Zrazy
You probably don’t know this Polish dish, but is a very popular food in Eastern Europe. Zrazy consists of rolled meat filled with mushrooms, eggs, and potatoes. This meat is then fried in oil and served on a stick.
Fish, Poultry, Meat, and Others
#21. Zander
If you like eating fish, then zander should be on your list next. Native to Europe, this fish is highly valued, and is usually served with tartar sauce, lemon and garlic, and even tomato sauce. Most times, zander is prepared on the grill during the summer months.
Cocktails and Beverages
#22. Zinfandel
Zinfandel refers to the variety of grape, but it gives life to a very popular wine typically from California. While it is usually red wine, it can also come in the rose variety. You can pair zinfandel with most foods, as the flavor is relatively sweet and subtle.
FAQs
While not very common, some fruits do start with the letter Z. These include zhe, zigzag vine fruit, and zapote.
Zinfandel is the most common drink beginning with the letter Z. However, another drink that starts with Z is Zima, which is a carbonated beverage that is somewhere between a soda and beer.
Some Asian foods that start with the letter Z include the fruit zhe, the Japanese soup zoni, and Zaru soba noodles.
Conclusion
While it may seem hard to find foods that start with the letter Z, as you can see, there are plenty of options. Why not try one of these dishes one of these days? You will be surprised by how tasty some of these are!
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