29 Foods That Start With N
There are so many different foods in the world, it is pretty much impossible to learn them all. However, if you are looking for somewhere to start, or to learn about some new ingredients to experiment with, you are in the right place!
Below is a list of 29 foods that start with N. It might not cover all the foods around, but it is a good way to start learning about new ingredients, and to brush up your knowledge on foods that you might have tasted or heard of already.
29 Foods That Start With The Letter N
1. Naan Bread
Naan bread is a leavened bread that is cooked on a grill or stove top. It is a popular bread served with meals in India and other Asian countries.
Naan bread can be served plain, but there can be other ingredients added during cooking, such as butter, garlic, and sometimes some herbs. It can be served with breakfast, lunch, or supper and is a staple food item in many homes in Asia.
2. Nachos
Nachos is a Mexican dish that is most common in Northern Mexico. The dish consists of heated tortilla chips which are smothered in melted cheese.
Nachos are most commonly served as a snack or as a small appetizer, but they can also be served as a main meal with shredded meats and beans.
There are many different ingredients that can accompany nachos, such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream, beans, jalapenos, chicken and beef mince.
Nachos are enjoyed in many countries across the world and can be served in many different ways.
3. Nankhatai
Nankhatai is a small shortbread biscuit that originates from India and is quite common in Pakistan and Northern India.
These cookies are made with ghee and flavored with saffron and cardamom; however, many families have their own way of making nankhatai.
The Persian word naan means bread and the Dari Persian word khatai means biscuits, so put these together and you have shortbread nankhatai!
4. Naranjilla Fruit
Naranjilla is a small little fruit, whose name translates to “little orange” in Spanish. This diminutive fruit packs a huge punch of flavor, and despite its appearance, it is not actually a citrus fruit.
The naranjilla fruit forms part of the eggplant and tomato family. The outside is a bright yellow when ripe, and the inside looks similar to a green tomato. The whole fruit can be eaten, but the skin can be slightly tough to chew through.
5. Nashi Pear
A nashi pear is more commonly known as an Asian pear. It is a pear native to East Asia. The fruit has a crisp bite, with a taste similar to a mix between a sweet pear and an apple.
Being full of juice, nashi pear is a great thirst quenching fruit to enjoy. It is also high in vitamin C, manganese, and potassium.
6. Nasi Goreng
Nasi goreng translates directly to fried rice, in Malay and Indonesian languages. This rice dish contains pieces of meat and vegetables, and comes served with a fried egg on top.
What makes this dish different from fried rice dishes is that it is cooked in kecap manis, which is a sweet soy sauce that makes the rice dark brown, and caramelizes it when it is cooked.
7. Nasturtium
Nasturtium is not just one type of plant, but it refers to a genre of around eighty perennial and herbaceous flowering plants.
These usually have flowers which are bright yellow, orange or red in color, with round, lush leaves that are perfectly safe to eat. These plants can survive in cold winter conditions, and the leaves contain many nutrients and vitamin C.
These leaves are often used to boost the immune system and treat sore throats and colds.
8. Natal Plum
Natal plum is also known as Carissa macrocarpa. It is a fruit indigenous to South Africa, and is known there by the Zulu name num-num.
The leaves and stem of the plant are toxic, with the plum fruit being the only edible bit. The fruit is also poisonous if it is not ripe. The plant contains a milky sap, which is a natural plant latex, which is not safe to eat. This plum is rich in vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium.
Navel oranges are genetic clones of a fruit found in Brazil, so they are seedless in nature. This citrus fruit gets its name from the small hole in the skin that resembles a belly button!
These are considered one of the healthiest fruits to eat as they are rich in fiber, potassium and vitamin C. They help to fight against heart disease and diabetes and just taste delicious as well! To eat a navel orange, you peel away the skin and segment the fruit before eating.
10. Nectar
Nectar is the name giving to the sugar-rich liquid produced by glands in plants called nectaries or nectarines. This can be created in the flowers themselves or in extrafloral nectaries.
While nectar most commonly refers to the sugary-syrup created by plants, it also refers to juice extracted from fruits, which is used to make fruit juice or to flavor desserts and other food items.
Nectar is usually quite thick and particularly sweet, and is usually pure nectar. There are some fruit juices that are sold as nectar, but these are often mixed in with other ingredients such as water or added sugar.
11. Nectarine
A nectarine is a fruit that is commonly confused with a peach. It is a stone fruit that is related to the plum, apricot and cherry family.
While it looks like a peach usually, it can come in a variety of colors, such as white, orange, yellow or red, or a mix of these. They can be clingstone or freestone, where the pit either sticks to the fruit or falls off on its own.
Available during the winter, they can be used to make warm desserts, drinks, or simply eaten fresh. Nectarines are high in vitamins A and C and potassium.
12. Neep
Neep is another name for turnip. This white root vegetable is found in temperate climates all over the world. It has a fleshy taproot and is an essential ingredient in many meals and kitchens around the world. The leafy greens of a neep or turnip are edible as well and can be added to soups and stews.
Neeps have a high content of vitamins, fiber, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and manganese.
13. Negus
Negus is a warm drink which is made from wine and port. These are added to water, lemon, or other citruses such as orange, and then some sugar.
This drink originated in the 18th century and has grown in popularity over the many, many years it has been around.
There are many different recipes around on how to make Negus.
14. Nesselrode
Nesselrode is a unique mix of candied fruits, nuts and maraschino cherries. This is commonly used in pies, puddings and ice cream, to add flavor and texture to these sweet dishes.
This was first made back all the way in 1814 by a French Chef, and became a popular ice pudding soon after that. It was initially a dish enjoyed by the rich, but all of the ingredients are much more accessible to everyone nowadays.
15. Nettles
Nettles are a type of plant which is safe to eat. Nettles are quite delicious to eat, but can also be used to make a herbal tea. They are some of the first edible spring shoots to appear, so are most popular in the early spring.
Not only can you eat the nettles as is and make nettle tea, but you can also use the leafy plant to make nettle soup and nettle beer!
The plants grow to around 5 feet tall and have leaves which are edged with small toothed ridges.
16. New England Clam Chowder
New England clam chowder, as the name suggests, originated in New England! This is a chowder soup which contains broth, milk and clams. Other ingredients can be included such as potato, pork, onions and celery.
It is a hearty, warm soup that is creamy and quite filling. New England clam chowder is particularly creamy and has a texture similar to gravy with some chunks of potatoes. The bacon works well in contrast to the ocean clams. Different regions have their own recipe for chowder.
17. Nigella Seeds
Nigella seeds are widely used in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisines. These small black seeds can be dry-roasted and can be used to give a dish a nutty, smoky flavor. These little seeds go by many names, such as black seeds and caraway.
There are many health benefits enjoyed with these seeds, such as regulating blood sugar and lowering cholesterol levels.
18. Nipa
Nipa is a plant found on the tidal rivers of Austria and Southern Asia. The plant has prongs which are quite long, and which can be used in different cooking preparations.
The stalks have a sugar sap which can be a good source of vinegar, treacle and sugar.
19. Nonpareil
Nonpareils are small balls of decorative confectionery that are made from sugar and starch. These were originally opaque, but are now available in a wide range of colors.
This treat is made from chocolate, which is then covered with white sugar sprinkles.
20. Noodles
Noodles are made from a dough that is rolled quite flat and then cut or stretched into long, thin strips. These can then be dried and kept to be cooked later, or placed straight away in boiling water.
Noodles are a staple food in Chinese cuisine, but are enjoyed all over the world. Many Americans enjoy minute ramen as a quick and easy snack at home. These often come with flavorings, which range in flavor from vegetable, beef, and chicken to extra spicy.
There are many dishes that can be made with noodles, and they are ideal with almost any types of meat and vegetables!
21. Nerds
Nerds is a type of candy that is popular treat among kids. They are small little candy balls that come in a wide range of flavors and colors.
They can be sweet or sour. The Nerds are usually served as two contrasting flavors in one box, which is great when eaten together.
Nerds do have high sugar content and should not be eaten too often.
22. New York-Style Pizza
New York-Style Pizza is a special type of preparation of pizza. New York-Style Pizza is made with a large, hand-tossed crust which is quite thin. This type of pizza is often served cooked and as a single slice, which are wide and large.
The crust of New York-Style Pizzas are thin and pliable, which make them easy to fold in half for eating on the go. They can be topped with a wide range of toppings.
23. Nori
Nori is the Japanese name for seaweed which is edible. This has a distinctive strong flavor, and is used mainly in Japanese cuisine. Most commonly, it is used to wrap rolls of sushi.
Nori is made by shredding bits of seaweed which are then pressed into thin sheets, much the same as the process of making paper!
24. Nougat
Nougat is a confection made from sugar, honey, whipped egg whites and roasted nuts. These nuts could be almonds, walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts and sometimes macadamia nuts. Sometimes nougat also includes candied fruit.
Nougat can be served plain, or dipped in chocolate or yogurt, and can be served in bars. In the most basic form, nougat is made from a sweetener such as sugar or honey, and whipped eggs whites.
It has a meringue-like taste, which is only made that much better by adding roasted nuts and candied fruit!
25. Nuggets
Nuggets, or chicken nuggets, are a chicken product made from chicken breast meat, or other chicken meat, that has been battered or breaded, and then baked or deep-fried.
These are a popular food and snack for kids, and are incredibly easy to prepare. They are usually sold frozen and then can be simply popped into the oven for a short amount of time before being served.
Other than chicken, there are fish nuggets as well.
26. Nutella
Nutella is a brand of hazelnut cocoa spread that has been sweetened. It is made from a combination of skim milk, roasted hazlenuts, and cocoa which has a creamy consistency. The taste is chocolaty with a rich hint of roasted hazelnut.
Nutella can be spread on bread or toast, or can be used to top desserts and other sweet treats!
27. Nutmeg
Nutmeg is the seed of several species of plants. The seed is cultivated and dried and then ground down to be used to spice and flavor foods and drinks.
While popularly ground, nutmeg can also be sold whole. It has a warm, nutty flavor and can be used for both savory and sweet dishes. It is commonly used alongside cinnamon and cloves.
28. Nutmeg Melon
A nutmeg melon is also known as a cantaloupe. It is a juicy, orange fruit that is grown in the summer. It is related to the watermelon and honeydew melon. It has a mild, sweet taste, with a yellow to orange flesh, and a rough, green exterior that needs to be cut away.
29. Nuts
A nut is classified as a fruit that has an inedible hard shell, with a seed inside that is edible. Nuts are usually roasted and salted and served as a snack, but they can also be added to meals and desserts for flavor and texture.
Examples of nuts include almonds, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, macadamias, pistachios, pine nuts, pecan nuts, and walnuts.
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