Natsci

by Ecoist

(Part of an Exclusive WebEcoist Series on Amazing Trees, Plants, Forests and Flowers)

Move over, peas and carrots. There are thousands of edible plants, fruits and vegetables on earth, some of them truly odd looking but tasty nonetheless. If you haven’t dined on a romanescu or partaken of dragon fruit, you’ve missed out. Take a look at some of these wacky foods enjoyed throughout the world – “normal” is all in the eye of the beholder.

Kiwano Melon

(Image via ornosnatch)

The “steadfastly inedible” spiky kiwano melon is a beloved fruit in many cultures; it’s often called a “Cuke-asaurus”. Bearing resemblance to an excessively goopy bowl of cucumber seeds, this gelatinous fruit tastes like sweet cucumber, with a slight tart aftertaste.

Romanescu

(Image via docman)

Romanescu, or Romanesco, is closely related to cauliflower. If you enjoy cauliflower or broccoli you’ll like this unique fractal vegetable. It’s quite healthy being loaded with antioxidants.

Buddha’s Hand

(Image via Edible Eden)

The Buddha’s Hand, or fingered citron (no jokes please) is a popular and fragrant citrus fruit commonly consumed in Asia. If you can get through the thick peel you will find a tiny amount of seedless, rather dry flesh that is reminiscent of a lemon.

Durian

(Image via nuruhlraman)

The Durian defies explanation: but Weird Food has attempted to describe this foul, yet religiously revered fruit that is simultaneously adored…and banned from public spaces. “A fruit as big as a football, covered with tough spiky skin. The pulp is pale yellow, with shape and consistency of raw brains. Smell has been compared to rotting flesh, old gym socks, or sewage. Yet the taste has been called so exquisite that a European explorer of the 1700′s claimed it was worth the journey to experience it; “the King of fruits.” Many believe it aphrodisiac and hold durian-eating parties. Most hotels, and so on, forbid it on the premises. In Malaysia, a friend of mine witnessed someone on a...