27 Foods That Start With H | Fun Foods From A to Z
When you live with picky eaters – whether they are your children, your spouse, or maybe even yourself – you have to get creative with how you introduce different foods into your meals. Eating a variety of foods can be fun when you turn it into a game. We decided to try a new food from A to Z, and created this list of foods to have options to choose from. Here is our list of 18 foods that start with H, including fruits, vegetables, and other fun things to eat!
Why eat foods from every letter of the alphabet?
When you step outside of your food comfort zone, you have the opportunity to discover a new food that you never knew you could enjoy. There are so many foods that we haven’t tried, for various reasons – because our parents never cooked them, they weren’t available in our area, they are popular foods in different cultures, or just because we didn’t know they existed!
Trying different foods, especially fruits and vegetables, can provide our bodies with a variety of nutrients that we wouldn’t normally have. It can also get us out of the “what’s for dinner” rut when we get bored of eating the same old things over and over again.
These food lists are also great when teaching the alphabet, or when looking for a fun food for show and tell day at school!
If you’re looking for a little flavor in the kitchen, or a way to spice up your life, try one – or all! – of these foods that start with the letter H.
Fruits that start with H
Hass Avocado
This type of avocado has a higher fat content than a regular avocado, which makes for a creamier texture and a more nutty flavor. However, it still packs all the superfood nutrients that the regular avocado provides to us.
Mash avocado to make guacamole, slice avocado over your eggs, or spread it onto a piece of toast for a fiber-filled breakfast!
Hog Plum
Hog plums are super healthy! A tiny, tangy fruit packed full of benefits! They are good for your bones, your muscles, your skin and help with digestion.
Honeycrisp Apple
A perfect snack to buy for the kids and one of my kids’ favorite foods! Honeycrisp apples are good to eat by themselves, or pair them with some nuts or peanut butter. They are also great for baking or to put a bit of sweetness in a salad.
Honeydew Melon
This green melon is just the right amount of sweetness and add the fact it is 90% water, making it a great way for kids to replenish their electrolytes after playing. It is also fun to use a melon baller and pair it with watermelon and cantaloupe for a fun snack.
Vegetables that start with H
Habanero Pepper
These chili peppers can be used in so many different ways! A common ingredient in hot sauces, it can also be used to add a little heat to your favorite recipes. Add some spice to a pot of chili, or sweeten it up with some fruity habanero pepper jelly with a tad bit of cream cheese on a cracker.
Haricot Beans
If your family enjoys soup, these beans are perfect! Also known as navy beans, they soak in the flavors of the foods they are cooked with, making each bite, that much better.
Heart of Palm
This vegetable comes from the core of palm trees and is similar to an artichoke heart. Aside from being packed with minerals, you can use this ingredient in a variety of foods ranging from a nice dip to a delicious stir fry.
Hubbard Squash
Perfect for the Fall recipes, tasting similar to pumpkin, this is probably the largest squash you will find. You can use this in soups, baking pies, risotto. However, many people prefer to bake it and eat it by itself.
Husk Tomato
Also known as a ground cherry, or the more common name, tomatillo. These originated in Mexico. Perfect addition to a salsa verde, or jam.
Some folks have even used a southern tradition and fried them into a miniature version of the fried green tomatoes.
Other foods that start with H
Haddock
Haddock is a type of fish that is a smaller member of the cod family. This fish does not have a strong fish taste but more of a mild flavor, so it is perfect for kids who aren’t fond of fishy flavors.
Haggis
Haggis is a Scottish dish (actually banned from the US in 1971) containing a variety of meats. When paired with minced onion, spices and oatmeal, it becomes a savory pudding that is served traditionally on January 25th, for Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns.
Hakka Noodles
Hakka noodles are similar to the lo mein noodles that you could get from the Chinese restaurant. They are great for stir fry and soak in a lot of the flavor, helping vegetables become more appetizing to our picky eaters.
Halibut
Halibut is voted one of the most tasty salt water fish, having a mild and sweetish taste. This fish is super healthy! Half of one filet will provide ⅓ of the amount of daily vitamins and minerals that your body needs. It also pairs great with a variety of vegetables.
Halloumi Cheese
This type of cheese is very similar to the texture of mozzarella, however, this cheese does not melt. It is excellent for grilling or frying for a fun side dish or snack.
Ham
Ham is great for so many dishes. You can smoke it, grill it, bake it, or cook it in a pan. However, my all time favorite and easy recipe is in the crock pot.
Add some brown sugar and dijon mustard and cook on low for about 8 hours. Come home from a long day to a delicious sweet dish, best served up with some rice and green beans. Yum!
Hamburger
One of the best things to come from America, there are so many options in making a hamburger. You can make them plain for picky eaters, or add as many different toppings as someone could want.
You can make mini sliders for the smaller appetite, or make a triple stacker for the larger appetite.
Hash Browns
Another food originating from America, hash browns are a very popular breakfast food made of potatoes that have been chopped and fried until golden brown. They can be made into shapes or simply fried up in a small pile. Some choose to add peppers, meat and cheese to give the hash browns more flavor.
Hazelnut
These small nuts are packed with nutrition. They are known for supporting heart health and healthy digestion. It is even said that they can help with memory loss.
Hazelnuts are commonly used in baking alongside chocolate.
Hoecake
Here in the Southern United States, we love our hoecake! Similar to cornbread, but fried, hoecakes are like pancakes made from cornmeal.
They can be served at breakfast in place of a biscuit or toast, or you can serve them at lunch or supper. Hoecakes are a great way to help soak up the juice from a stew or soup.
Hoisin Sauce
Similar to teriyaki sauce, this sweet flavorful sauce is used to add Asian flavor to noodles or a stir fry dish. It can be used to coat the meat or even used as a dipping sauce for egg rolls or spring rolls.
You can find it in most grocery stores next to the soy sauce in the international foods aisle.
Hollandaise Sauce
This creamy, delicious sauce made from just butter, egg yolk, and lemon juice is the perfect topping for many dishes. It’s a popular ingredient in eggs benedict. It can also be used to pour over fish, or chicken or the vegetables on your plate.
Honey
Honey is versatile and very delicious. It is sweeter than sugar, so you can use less. Also, when properly stored, it never goes bad!
You can use honey as a natural sweetener drinks. I prefer a hot honey tea when I have a sore throat. Honey can also be used as a sweetener for many meats and sauces. (Try it on your ham!)
Horseradish
The health benefits that come from this root are amazing! Ranging from being good for your teeth to helping your immune system and aiding in weight loss.
It is even said that the components that make up this root help protect against cancer! Wow! When made into a sauce it provides the right amount of heat to any dish.
Hot Cross Bun
Hot cross buns were originally made in honor of Good Friday back in the 12th century. They are sweet with a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg and typically have some type of fruit mixed in, such as raisins or candied fruit.
Hot Dog
Another food that you can eat in many ways, is the hot dog. These can be grilled, steamed or boiled.
Slice them up or put them on a bun, and add whatever you like, such as: chili and cheese, horseradish, slaw, pickles, onions. Or you can keep it simple with the ordinary condiments, ketchup and/or mustard.
Hummus
Hummus is a healthy food from the Middle Eastern cuisine. A dip made from chickpeas, it is a great source of protein.
Hummus is great for encouraging your little ones to dip their raw carrots and cucumbers! However, if you have picky eaters that aren’t into raw veggies, try dipping pita chips into hummus and see how they like it.
Hush Puppy
This yummy ball of fried cornmeal is the perfect side to any seafood dish or paired with any fried food. It has a semi sweet taste and a nice tender texture.
