uncommon fruits and veggies

Kalamansi, or Calamondin, look like a cross between a tangerine and a lime.They are native to Asia and are popular throughout the Philippines.Like lemons and limes, kalamansi are used for their tart, acidic flavor.Typically the fruit is picked before ripeness, when it is green if left on the tree longer it will turn orange.

Despite its strange looking, thick outer layer, the inner flesh is juicy but crisp.Under the double layering of skin lies the best part of the kohlrabi,which can be eaten raw or cooked.The flavor of Kohlrabi can be compared to a cabbage heart, which is not surprising since the two veggies are related.

Kumquats are tiny, oval citrus fruits.They are more similar in size to berries than other members of the citron family.They also set themselves apart from other citrus fruits because the skin is eaten along with the center.The peel provides a sweet contrast to the tart, sour inner fruit.

These Southeast Asian fruits are berry sized but require peeling before they can be eaten.Peel away the thick, yellowish brown exterior to find the sweet, clear fruit.Langsats are often said to taste like a combination between a grape and a grapefruit, while the texture is more like that of a grape.

Loquats look similar to apricots, although they have seeds inside instead of pits.The yellow orange skin is paired with white, yellow, or orange flesh.The texture is somewhat reminiscent of a melon but manages to be tangy, sweet, and juicy all at the same time.While these small tree fruits are native to China, they can now be found around the world.

These small tree fruits may look like raspberries with stems, but their hard outer shell is notthe part you want to eat.Peeling off the red and pink layer exposes a clear flesh that has a texture similar to grapes.Lychee are popular in Asia, their native growing place, but continue to become more common in other parts of the world.

This mango relative was once illegal in the U.S.due to a specific breed of fruit fly that is associated with it.Once the ban was lifted, mangosteen prices skyrocketed at specialty stores.But now the fruit, while still a somewhat rare find in the U.S., can be purchased for a more reasonable rate.The dark purple fruit is extremely sweet once the outer layer is peeled away.To peel, simply score the outer part of the fruit and then break the rind into two pieces, revealing the sweet, edible interior.

Monstera Deliciosa is a plant native to Central America.The green fruits are large and long.When the fruit is ripe it is known to have a particularly pleasant smell and a taste like a pineapple banana hybrid.The edible flesh underneath the green scales is cut from the core and eaten raw.

This fruit is another strange looking specimen.A ripe noni fruit is a yellowish white color and the exterior is covered in brown circular spots.Although noni fruits are known for their health benefits, they smell bad and they do not taste much better.

Despite the fact that the paw paw is notpopular in the U.S., the fruit is actually native to North America.Paw paws have a yellow or bright orange flesh underneath their green skin.They also contain a number of large ovular brown seeds.The flesh is similar in both texture and flavor to a banana.