What’s in a food name? Plenty, if the ingredients and cooking methods match up—and plenty of calories too. For example, zucchinis are nutritious and a great alternative to pasta, while ziti is a form of pasta that is made with enriched flour. Some of the foods that start with the letter “z” also have health benefits. Zucchini, for instance, is a good source of potassium. We’ve compiled a list of foods that start with Z for your below in case you are now racking your brain trying to think of such food.
Foods that start with Z
1. Zabaglione
Zabaglione is an Italian dessert that is made by whisking wine, sugar, and egg yolks together in a double boiler, and then cooking it until it is a foamy, custard-like dessert.
It is a very delicate dessert that is best enjoyed shortly after preparing it, and it is commonly served in small espresso cups.
2. Zinfandel
Zinfandel is a red wine grape variety. A traditional grape of Croatia, it is also grown in many other countries and has become an important varietal in California, Washington and Australia.
Zinfandel is also known as Primitivo in Italy, where it is grown much more than in Croatia. Zinfandel is a very old variety, and is mentioned in texts from the 15th century. The name is possibly a diminutive of Ziz, a Hebrew word for “red”.
3. Ziti
Ziti is a pasta format that resembles tubular penne and serves as a delicious complement to sauces and soups. It’s a popular pasta choice for many home cooks and for good reason.
Ziti is a versatile shape that pairs well with a wide variety of sauces from marinara to creamy Alfredo. Ziti is also an easy pasta shape to match with the flavor of a variety of dishes.
4. Zucchini
Zucchini is a vegetable that can be used in a variety of ways. Zucchini is a squash so it is in the same family as pumpkins, cucumbers, and melons. This vegetable has a mild flavor and cooks relatively quickly.
Zucchini is usually served cooked because it retains its flavor and texture after cooking. It is usually served as a side dish and can be eaten as is or with a sauce.
The zucchini is a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K.
5. Zucchini Bread
The best thing about zucchini bread is that it’s made with a vegetable (zucchini) instead of using unhealthy ingredients.
The second best thing about zucchini bread is that it’s a great way to use up those excess zucchini from your garden.
The third best thing about zucchini bread is that you can use pretty much any kind of flour you want to make it.
6. Zucchini Flowers
If you’ve been gardening for a while, you might be surprised that this is the first time you’re growing zucchini.
And you might be even more surprised that you never knew you could eat the flowers. In fact, grilling or sautéing zucchini flowers is a delicious way to have dinner in about 10 minutes—and it’s fun to try something new.
Zucchini flowers can be enjoyed in the same way you’d eat any other summer squash, so they’re a perfect addition to your meal. Just remember to keep the flower intact while you’re cooking it.
7. Zuccotto
This mouth-watering dessert from Florence is the perfect way to finish your Christmas season, and with the right recipe, you can make it tasty and adorable.
The base of a zuccotto is the sponge cake, which needs to be soaked in a sugar syrup made with Marsala wine. The outer shell is created by layering zuccotto cake, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings.
