Can You Recognize These Weird Fruits and Vegetables?

By Thalia Shepherd - Mar 25, 2025

This article appeared in notfries.com and has been published here with permission.

There are plenty of unusual things people have been known to eat — paper, sand, even soil. But generally, food tends to look appetizing. At the very least, you can usually tell it came from Earth. That’s not the case with these strange fruits. They look like something straight out of Star Wars! Luckily, most of them taste surprisingly good.

Horned Melon

Doesn't this melon remind you of a blowfish? It looks like it's ready to pop at any second! Kiwano, also known as Horned Melon, is an exotic fruit from Central and Southern African countries. It's best known for having a cucumber-type flavor but can apparently even taste a bit like kiwi when ripe enough.

Instagram // @angelascarfia

What's more, it's jam-packed full of essential nutrients! Its jelly-like texture makes this spiky fruit an ideal snack for a summer's day under the African sun.

Rambutan

What a hairy little guy! This bright red furry fruit definitely looks like something straight from an alien planet. Maybe this is what they're hiding in Area 51! Well, maybe not; this fruit actually originates from Malaysia but now grows throughout Southeast Asia as well as Mexico and even parts of Central America.

Instagram // @connectingdotz

This exotic snack looks and tastes quite similar to a lychee. Just slice away that fuzzy exterior and indulge in the tangy sweetness that lies within!

Ackee

If you hate having people watch you eat, then you may want to steer clear of this googly-eyed berry. Seriously, it feels like it's staring straight into our souls! This doe-eyed fruit originates from West Africa but became a prominent ingredient in Jamaican cuisine after being imported in the late 1700s.

Instagram // @kristinholeman

In fact, it is Jamaica's national fruit and contributes its nutty flavor as one of the main ingredients in its national dish, Ackee and Saltfish! Don't be fooled, though; this fruit is as dangerous as it is tasty. The seeds, skin, and unripe fruit are toxic to humans.

Pitaya

AKA the fire-breathing Dragon Fruit! Once native to Central America and Southern Mexico, Pitaya has been popularized in modern society for its unique hot pink shell and very cool dragon-scale exterior, as well as its familiar kiwi taste and texture.

Instagram // @csolerrincon

While looks and taste certainly have had an impact, this fruit has also become a fan favorite in the health scene due to its abundance of antioxidants, rich fiber content, and low-calorie count. Thus, it is the ideal fruit to add to salads and smoothies!