Searching for vegetables that start with R? We’ve done some digging into this question. Here is our complete list of 19 veggies that all start with the letter “R.”
1. Radicchio
Radicchio is a leaf vegetable with giant purple-red leaves that have white veins in them. Italian chefs love to use this veggie, mixing it into risotto or grilling it in olive oil.
2. Radish
A radish is a tiny root vegetable that is round and red, purple, or white. Most radish lovers throw them in a salad to add a pleasing crunchy texture.
3. Rakkyo
The Japanese name for Chinese scallion is rakkyo. It has a remarkably mild taste, unlike the scallions most people are familiar with. Because of its mild flavor, it is often used in dishes to balance out more powerful tastes.
4. Ramp
Look up the word ramp in any search engine, and you’re likely to get pictures of wheelchair ramps. The ramp we’re referring to, however, is also sometimes called wild or wood leek.
It’s a type of wild onion found in North America. It tastes like a mixture of onion and garlic.
5. Rampion
If you’re ever looking for a way to rhyme the word “champion,” rampion would be perfect. This flower was once grown in Europe so people could eat its leaves like spinach.
Interestingly, Princess Rapunzel was named after this plant, as one of its other names is also Rapunzel.
6. Ramsons
Ramsons are actually related to ramp. This plant is sometimes called bear leek or wild garlic. It comes from European and Asian countries.
Sprinkle the leaves in a salad or soup to enhance the flavor. You can also boil them and eat them.
7. Rapini
All parts of the rapini are edible, including its leaves and stems. Because the buds look like broccoli, it’s sometimes called broccoli rabe.
It has a powerful, bitter flavor. You’ll find it in Italian, Sicilian, and Mediterranean foods.
8. Red Cabbage
The leaves of the red cabbage plant are dark and beautiful purple and red. Depending on what type of soil they’re growing in, the leaves will appear either more purple or red.
One common recipe that uses red cabbage is coleslaw. However, it makes a tasty part of a well-rounded salad, too.
9. Red Leaf Lettuce
Red leaf lettuce is a type of lettuce that grows violet and red-colored leaves. There are several different kinds of red leaf lettuce.
We’ve had it on sandwiches before, and it’s pretty tasty.
10. Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a leafy green vegetable with thick red stalks. Unlike many other veggies, rhubarb is used in quite a few dessert recipes.
For a dessert with a unique tartness, try making a rhubarb pie.
11. Ricebean
Ricebean is far from the most popular type of bean, and not much is known about it. Those who use it tend to use it as a fodder crop and mix it with corn.
What we do know about it, however, it that it’s filled with protein and healthy fatty acids.
12. Rock Samphire
Although rock samphire is in the same family as carrots, don’t expect it to taste anything like its orange relative. People who have eaten rock samphire describe the taste as being appealingly spicy.
13. Rocket
Rocket is another name for arugula. This fast-growing plant probably gets its nickname from the Italian word for it, which is ruchetta or rucola.
You can read more about the peppery salad green’s nickname in our discussion on the question, is arugula rucola?
14. Roma Tomato
Roma tomatoes are a type of plum tomato. Because of their petite size, they’re often used in tomato paste or in canning.
You can find them in just about any grocery store in the United States.
15. Romaine Lettuce
If you’re looking for a more nutritious kind of lettuce, romaine lettuce is a good pick. Many chefs love to use romaine as a strong, crunchy base to salads.
We also think romaine lettuce works wonderfully in sandiwches and wraps.
16. Rosa Bianca Eggplant
Rosa bianca might just be one of the prettiest types of eggplant you can find. Unlike other eggplants that are typically dark purple, rosa bianca eggplants are a light purple. Also unlike other eggplants, it has a sweet, creamy taste that makes it a culinary darling.
17. Runner Bean
You might know runner beans as butter beans. If you like hummingbirds, you may want to consider growing runner beans, as hummingbirds are known to love the flowers on them.
British, Greek, and Spanish cuisine all frequently use runner beans in their dishes.
18. Russet Potato
Because there are so many types of potatoes, they tend to be grouped into broad sub-categories based on qualities like color. Russet potatoes include potatoes with dark skin.
There are tons of russet potatoes. One thing they have in common with each other is that they tend to be drier and make excellent French fries.
19. Rutabaga
Rutabaga is a European root vegetable. Although nowadays it’s usually eaten in casseroles and purees or it’s mashed and mixed with other veggies, it used to be used for carving jack-o-lanterns.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
