Nature is an amazing thing and fruit and veggies are no exception! There are some truly bizarre varieties of fruit in the world, some of which you’ve probably never even heard of before. In this article we take a look at some of the weirdest looking ones we could find – it just so happens most of them are also delicious!
5. The African Cucumber
The African Cucumber, also known as the Horned Melon, isn’t so well known in the world of exotic fruits, which shouldn’t be the case. This spiky fruit has a tangy, colourful flavour that brings to mind mango and cucumber. And the exterior tastes a lot like bananas. It can be found in places on the west coast of the United States and in parts of New Zealand.
4) Dragon Fruit or Pitahaya
The dragon or Pitahaya fruit is one of those exotic fruits that seems like a combination of several fruits all rolled into one. Looking like a giant strawberry, its centre is reminiscent of a kind of coconut macaroon and it’s is also lauded for its mouth-watering taste. Interestingly, this bizarre looking fruit is pollinated by bats of all creatures and it’s found in hot climates over in South America and Asia. However, don’t be fooled by its strange features and bat-pollinating ways, it’s said to have a delicious taste similar to melon and mango with a nutty aftertaste.
3) Budda’s Hand Fruit
Budda’s Hand is another interestingly shaped fruit that originates in hot climates of East Asia and India. Its tentacle-shaped body is eerily reminiscent of a squid or octopus. Considered to be inedible in many parts of the world, this fruit which contains no internal flesh to eat on is basically 100% rind. Not only can it be picked and added to several sweet and sour meals, it can also be boiled and grated, similarly to lemon zest. People add it to many meals to improve the taste for a little ‘je ne sais quoi’ that will keep your guests guessing all night.
2) Square Watermelons – deliciousness cubed!
Although the shape of these watermelons may seem a little odd at first glance, these Japanese cubes of watermelon refreshment are in fact an innovation in the world of fruit. No longer will your watermelons roll around on the table thanks to their uniquely manufactured shape. These watermelons have been designed for easy storage in your refrigerator, making them the ideal accessory for any practical fruit lover.
1) The Duck Tomato
It isn’t just manufactured fruit and vegetables that make us smile; natural freaks of nature can give us all manner of wacky shapes of our fruit. In this instance, a tomato has grown to resemble a duck in all its glory. There is nothing genetically modified about this duck tomato and packs all of the taste you’d expect from Mother Nature. From duck tomato’s to witches head carrots and penis-shaped peppers; Nature has a wonderful way of making us think twice about what we see before we eat it.
Bonus Freak of Nature: Screaming Peppers – Scared of your culinary skills
The next time you are preparing a little salad to go with your lunch, spare a thought for the time and effort it has taken in growing the fruit and vegetables for your meal. After this green bell pepper was cut into it seemed like they had a little something to say about the culinary skills of the person preparing the meal. With scary faces like these hidden behind any inconspicuous vegetable, it may make you think twice before obliterating your greens with a knife.
