17 Zany Foods That Start With Z (2024)

How many can you name? That is the game that we are playing today.

Can you name foods that start with Z?

Let’s get a bit zany here today and kick it off with a hearty vegetable that has a real zest for life.

Trust me when I say, that this list of foods that start with Z will be quite handy next time you are playing an intense game of Scrabble.

Ask Zachary how he feels about the next big party he’s throwing. Invite Zelda and zip through our list of foods that start with the letter Z.

Turn on some zydeco music and start planning the birthday fun!

Who doesn’t know zucchini?

Zucchini is a summer squash that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae plant family. It’s a distant relative of melons, spaghetti squash, and cucumbers.

Because of its look, zucchini is often mistaken for cucumbers. It has a mild flavor with a slightly sweet and bitter mouthfeel.

You can roast or bake them. Some cooks turn them into ratatouille, fritters, and decadent desserts.

2. Zwieback

Zwieback is a baked good made by baking the dough twice until they’re dry and crispy.

The food comes from the German word “zwieback,” meaning twice-baked.

These crunchy little treats are also often given to teething babies.

3. Zwetschkenknödel

Zwetschkenknödel or plum dumplings is a sweet dessert that consists of plum-based dough rolled in breadcrumbs then fried until it has a crispy texture and a nice brown color.

This sweet is sometimes topped with cinnamon.

4. Zwiebelrostbraten

Zwiebelrostbraten is a Viennese dish that combines roast beef and balsamic vinegar-based sauce.

The roast beef is seasoned with salt, pepper, coated in flour then fried in butter. Once done, the meat is cooked in a special sauce.

This savory dish tastes great with onion rings, spaetzle, fried potatoes, or french fries.

5. Zebra domes

6. Ziti

Ziti is a tube-shaped pasta that’s 10 inches long and about one-quarter of an inch in diameter.

This pasta variety is cut at square angles and slightly longer than penne, another tubular pasta type.

Ziti has a smooth texture and tends to be soft and butter when cooked, making it a good pasta choice for oven-baked casseroles.

7. Zhajiangmian

Zhajiangmian is a fried sauce noodle commonly eaten in northern regions of China.

The dish consists of four ingredients: fried pork, thick sauce, noodles, and raw or blanched vegetables like bean sprouts, edamame, cucumber, and radish.

When combined, you’ll be able to achieve a comforting dish full of freshness and umami-packed mouthfeel.

8. Zhaliang

Zhaliang is a Cantonese dim sum consisting of Cheung fun (rice noodle sheets) wrapped with crispy youtiao or Chinese fried dough.

Every bite has a perfect blend of sweet and savory.

This noodle dish also gets its umami flavor from sweet soy sauce, sesame seed, and scallion toppings.

9. Zoodles

10. Zander

Zander is an edible white fish native to Eastern Europe that usually survives in freshwater habitats.

This freshwater fish has a large body with firm flakes. It’s great for frying, baking, and grilled.

Zander is also known as pike-perch, European pike-perch, and European walleye.

11. Zaotang

Zaotang is a type of candy made from maltose.

In China, this sweet treat is used as a sacrifice to the Kitchen God during Xiao Nian, the 23rd day of the 12th month on the Chinese lunar calendar.

12. Zaalouk

Zaalouk is a delicious Moroccan salad made from eggplant, tomato, spices, and herbs.

It has a bold flavor and smooth texture, making it an ideal entree as a side, spread, or dip with Moroccan bread.

13. Zarangollo

Zarangollo is a Spanish dish that combines eggs, zucchini, onion, and sometimes potatoes for richer texture and flavor.

All of these ingredients are sliced thinly, then fried in oil, and combined with beaten eggs.

It’s usually served warm or cold alongside a piece of bread or fish entrees.

14. Zurek

Zurek is a traditional Easter breakfast dish in Poland.

This comforting soup is created by mixing white sausage, smoked meat, and sour liquid made from fermented rye flour.

It features a smokey, meaty, and sour mouthfeel with a thick and creamy texture.

Zurek is satisfying when served alongside boiled eggs and potatoes.

15. Zrazy

Zrazy or beef roulades is another popular Polish dish that uses beef, pickles, ham, and green onions.

Incredibly tender, aromatic, and rich, it’s believed that the dish is one of the favorite main courses among the Polish nobility.

16. Zeppole

Zeppole is an Italian doughnut made from a pate choux dough which is fried in hot oil until it becomes light, fluffy, and golden brown.

After frying, zeppole are garnished with powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or chocolate sauce for a creamy and satisfying mouthfeel.

17. Zopf

Zopf is a Swiss staple that’s made from white flour, milk, eggs, butter, and yeast.

The dough is braided into a Zopf and placed onto a baking tray lined with baking parchment.

After that, the braided dough is then brushed with egg yolk then baked.

The bottom line

I don’t know about you but I am seriously interested in trying out some Zopf. I want to serve at my next party.

As a matter of fact, I personally want to have a party centered around foods that start with Z.