7 Uncommon Vegetables for your Produce Bucket List (Whole30 Day 25)

photo credits, clockwise from top left: Jon Sullivan, Christian Guthier, ACW,
ACW, ACW, Radim Dudek, Mgmuscatello

Am I the only one with a produce bucket list?  Several months ago I shared my baking bucket list, but since I'm in the midst of a Whole30, focusing on my produce bucket list is much more appropriate.  One of my New Year's resolutions is to try cooking with new vegetables, and I've been having tons of fun so far.  Some of these vegetables are ones I've already tried, but that seem under-appreciated or under-represented in cookbooks, restaurants, and the blogosphere.  Others, like romanesco, are ones I'd love to try but am having a hard time getting my hands on.

If you don't have a produce bucket list, maybe this post will inspire you to start one!  I hope it will at least inspire you to pick up one new vegetable and give it a chance in your kitchen this month.

What's your favorite under-appreciated veggie?  Feel free to leave links to recipes you love with these vegetables or others.  Also, are there some veggies I didn't mention that you're dying to try?  I'm always looking to add to my list!

1. Rutabagas

As soon as I tried rutabagas (also known as yellow turnips), I put them into my regular rotation.  Rutabagas are by far my favorite mashed potato substitute--even more delicious than the real thing.  My boyfriend asks for them all the time.  Check out this recipe for bacon-wrapped shrimp over creamy rutabaga (use ghee instead of butter and coconut milk instead of cream for a Whole30 version), or this one for mashed rutabaga & squash with roasted garlic (vegan, Whole30 compliant).


2. Sunchokes

photo by Christian Guthier

This is one I haven't tried yet, but it's next on my list.  I always see these at the store under their other name, Jerusalem artichokes.  I'll probably start by making this roasted sunchoke soup with caramelized shallots from A House in the Hills.  It looks fabulous and I like to put crispy shallots on all the things.  Also, these simple roasted sunchokes from the Kitchn look fabulous (bonus: no peeling required).

photo from A House in the Hills

3. Shallots

You probably know about shallots, but you may not be giving them the attention they deserve.  Try whole caramelized shallots, and you'll understand what I mean.  Omit the sugar for a Whole30 version.  Also, try this pumpkin soup with crispy shallots (vegan, Whole30 compliant).  Alicia Silverstone's recipe for roasted green beans & shallots also looks delicious (vegan, Whole30 compliant).

4. Chayote

I found this fun squash at the Vietnamese supermarket around the corner and used it in my caldo tlalpeño.  It tastes like a cross between a zucchini and a cucumber.  This chayote & pickled onion salad also looks really good (vegan, omit the sugar for a Whole30 version).

5. Japanese eggplant

photo by Mgmuscatello

I like to use these slender, light purple eggplants instead of the clunky Italian ones.  Try my paleo yu hsiang eggplant (vegan, omit peas for Whole30) or add them to any Thai curry.  Next time I pick some up, I'm going to try this garlic-roasted Japanese eggplant (vegan, Whole30 compliant).




6. Celeriac

photo by Radim Dudek

I tried this mashed celeriac (vegan, Whole 30 compliant) recently--it was good, but won't replace rutabaga as my favorite mashed tuber.  Next, I'm eager to try these fries which can be made with celery root or parsley root (vegan, Whole 30 compliant) .  This celery root & arugula salad (vegan, Whole 30 compliant) is also calling my name.  Also, check out this shepherd's pie with mashed celeriac!

photo from Paleo Periodical

7. Romanesco

photo by Jon Sullivan

Ever since I had a delicious gnocchi dish with romanesco at Elemental in Chattanooga, I've been dying to get my hands on some.  If you know where I can find it in the Boston area, please let me know!  It's pretty much the most beautiful vegetable I've ever seen.  What other vegetables have fractal designs?  You can use Romanesco in any recipe that calls for broccoli or cauliflower, but this salad looks especially perfect (vegan option, Whole30 compliant).

photo from Simply Recipes

What new veggies have you tried this year?  What's on your produce bucket list?

Want more Whole30 tips & recipes?  Come back for a new post (almost) everyday this month, and check out these previous posts:

• Orange Ginger Squash Soup (Whole30 Day 1)
• Creole Hash & Eggs (Whole30 Day 2)
• 5 Essential Paleo Flavor Boosters (Whole30 Day 3)
• Chicken Meatballs with Garlic Kale Marinara (Whole30 Day 4)  
• Cooking with Coconut Oil Review + Pork Chops with Apple Compote (Whole30 Day 5)
• Braised Zucchini (Whole30 Day 6)
• 7 Paleo Blogs I Love (Whole30 Day 7)
• Sweet Potato & Kale Gratin (Whole30 Day 8)
• Prepping a Week of Paleo Breakfasts (Whole30 Day 9)
• Orange-Glazed Brussels Sprouts (Whole30 Day 10)
• Pumpkin Soup with Crispy Shallots (Whole30 Day 11)
• What I'm Cooking This Week (Whole30 Day 12)
• Mini Quiches with Duxelles & Baby Broccoli (Whole30 Day 15)
• Fried Okra with Avocado Crema (Whole30 Day 18)
• Moroccan Beef with Apricots & Dates + Simple Cauliflower Mash (Whole30 Day 22)

For even more paleo recipes, check out these Whole30 posts from my archives or my Whole30 Pinterest board.  Also, follow me on Instagram to see pics of what I'm eating throughout my Whole30.