Have you ever thought about foods that start with different letters of the alphabet? Foods that start with the letter A may be hard to think of – of course there is the obvious like apple and artichoke. However, you may be feeling stumped after that.
We have done extensive research to bring you a list of foods that start with A to help you expand your food knowledge. These foods can be found at most grocery stores and are readily available in the marketplace.
20 Foods That Start with A
Acorn Squash
Acorn squash is a starchy, winter squash with dark-green skin and sweet yellow-orange flesh. Acorn squash is a good source of potassium and vitamin B6. Acorn Squash is normally baked and is served with dishes like spaghetti, pork or lamb.
Aioli
Aoili is a creamy, rich garlic mayonnaise that is often served with seafood. This can be made at home in just a few minutes.
Albacore
Albacore is a longfin tuna that is found worldwide in temperate and tropical waters. It is a white tuna with a firm and steaky texture that is packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. You will often find albacore in different varieties of canned tuna.
Ale
Ale is a general term for beer that is made with a yeast fermented at warmer temperatures and settles at the top of the beer. There are many types of ales including pale ales, india pale ales (IPA), porters, stouts etc.
Alfalfa Sprouts
Alfalfa sprouts are a nutrient dense food often used in salads and sandwiches. The sprouts are low in calories and are a good source of vitamin K.
Alfredo Sauce
Alfredo sauce is a traditional Italian sauce used over pasta. Alfredo sauce is made with Parmesan cheese, butter, pasta water, and salt. While you can make your own sauce from scratch it can also be purchased premade at grocery stores.
All-Purpose Flour
All-purpose flour is commonly used in recipes and packaged foods like cookies, crackers, and breads. It is refined from whole-wheat flour and many of the nutrients are removed during this process making this an unhealthy choice of flour.
Allspice
Allspice has a flavor of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. While many think that it is a blend it is not. This spice is commonly used in Carribean and Latin American cooking in dishes like jerk chicken. It can also be used in warm weather dishes like chai tea, pumpkin pie, and spiced apple cider.
Almonds
Almonds are a type of seed that grow on a tree. These seeds will help you feel full longer and are an excellent source of healthy monounsaturated fats. You can eat almonds raw or use them in dishes like almond crusted fish, as a salad topping or bake them into cookies.
Amaranth
Amaranth is a nutritious, gluten-free grain that is full of fiber and protein. Amaranth ican be served for breakfast as a porridge or added to other dishes after roasting or boiling the grain.
Anchovies
Anchovies are a small green fish with a high level of omega-3 fatty acids. The flavor can be overwhelmingly fishy and salty if you don’t balance the flavor. You may find them on pizza or as the main ingredient to caesar salad dressing.
Andouille
Andouille is a spicy pork sausage seasoned with garlic. This sausage is used in Cajun cuisine.
Anise
Anise or Aniseed are liquorice-flavored seeds that have antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The seeds are commonly used in cooking and liquors. You may have had biscotti or pizzelles in the past that contained anise.
Apples
We couldn’t leave this staple off of our list of foods that start with the letter a. Apples are a fruit that are both delicious and food for you. Apples are grown all over the world and come in different varieties from Red Delicious Apples to Granny Smith Apples. Each variety has it’s own distinct flavor.
Apricots
Apricots are known as Armenian plums and are round and yellow. They look like a smaller version of a peach. Apricots are a fruit with a high water content and are a good source of soluble fiber. Apricot pairs well with almonds, anise, apples, caramel, honey, peach, and vanilla.
Artichokes
Artichokes are actually the flower of a plant. This non starchy vegetable is low in calories and has a high water and fiber content. Artichokes pair well with butter, cream cheese, spinach, potatoes, olive oil and much more. You will find them used in a variety of dishes like soups, stews, and pizzas.
Arugula
Arugula is a leafy green vegetable often used in salad. It is a member of the mustard family but it is not as bitter as mustard greens. Arugula pairs well with almonds, basil, cheese, cucumbers, mushrooms, pasta, tomatoes and vinegar.
Asparagus
Asparagus are a non starchy spring vegetable known for its low calories and high water content. They also have a good amount of fiber as well as many vitamins and antioxidants. Asparagus is often roasted and served alongside a main dish like chicken or pasta.
Aubergines
Aubergines are also known as eggplants. This versatile vegetable is normally a purplish-black color and can be cooked in a number of different ways. Don’t forget to peel the skin if you are using aubergine in a casserole or sauce.
Avocados
Avocados are a bright green fruit. They contain a large pit and dark leathery skin. Consuming this fruit is a good way to get more antioxidants like vitamin E in your diet. Avocados are delicious consumed alone but can also be used in a variety of dishes like guacamole and avocado toast.
Conclusion
As you can see there are a variety of foods that begin with the letter A. While we did our best to add a variety of foods that start with A there are many more that didn’t make the list.
If you want to be adventurous in your cooking, I challenge you to try one or two new foods to try this month. You may be surprised to find a new food that you absolutely love and have never considered before.