14 Foods That Start With Q | 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 foods that start with Q, 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 Q.
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Vegetables that start with Q
Quinoa
Technically a grain and not a vegetable, quinoa is the only food we could find to fit this category! It is rich in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients like iron and calcium, making it a healthy alternative to other grains like rice or pasta.
Quinoa has a mild, nutty flavor and can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to stir-fries to breakfast bowls. It’s also considered a “superfood” because of its high nutritional value. So, next time you’re looking for a tasty and healthy food option, give quinoa a try!
Fruits that start with Q
Quandong
The desert Quandong is a traditional staple food in Australia and known as their native peach. The fruit can have a sour taste at times, but essentially most describe its flavor as pleasant and very similar to a peach and apricot.
This fruit can be eaten in many different ways. Some prefer it raw, as others prefer to stew it or make it into a jam or pastry filling.
Queen Apples
The Queen apple is a popular fruit in the United Kingdom. This healthy food has great nutritional value. When they say “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”, this may be the apple you want on your list.
They are very similar to the apple we know best as Gala. Sweet and juicy, with great amounts of Vitamin C and a variety of antioxidants.
Queen Tahiti Pineapple
This particular type of pineapple is believed to be native to South America. It is similar to other varieties of pineapple, with its shape, looks, and sweet taste.
Pineapples can be used in different ways and served with different foods. Some use just the flavor from pineapples when grilling, and some choose to add pieces of pineapple to the dish. A great way to serve is serve it as a drink.
Other foods that start with Q
Quail
A quail is a small bird that is hunted as a game bird. Some people choose to hunt them simply as a game, and some actually eat the quail meat and eggs.
Since this game bird is so small, when cooking, most choose to cook the whole bird, just like you would roast a chicken or a turkey. Quail is typically served as an appetizer before the main course.
Quail Eggs
Quail eggs are very similar to chicken eggs and can be used in many of the same ways. The main difference is the size. The egg yolks are significantly smaller, however are just as delicious.
Quick Bread
Quick bread is a type of bread that doesn’t involve yeast with the recipe. It doesn’t need to be set to rest nor kneading. A few types of quick bread are banana bread, beer bread, corn bread and soda bread.
Quiche Lorraine
This savory custard is a French dish made with eggs, fresh cheese, and pieces of meat, vegetables and even seafood. This dish is similar in looks, to a pie, with a crisp pastry crust.
Quiche Lorraine is very popular all around the world and can be enjoyed either hot or cold.
Quadretti Pasta
This type of pasta is commonly found in Italian foods. This small square pasta, originally came from the leftover pasta that was used to make spaghetti and fettuccine noodles. The pasta was flattened out and cut into small squares. They are mostly added into broth or types of soups.
Queen of Pudding
A traditional British dessert called Queen of Pudding, is a hot dessert that has been around since the seventeenth century. The recipe starts off by heating cow’s milk and adding in breadcrumbs. This makes the base of the pudding. The second layer is a jam, and topped with a toasted meringue.
Quinine Water
Quinine water is tonic water. Many people drink it for the medicinal benefits of relieving leg cramps. Others drink it as a beverage by adding lemon juice and lime juice to subside the bitter taste that it has by itself.
Queso Blanco
The Spanish word for white cheese, is ‘queso blanco’. This popular food is similar to cottage cheese and cream cheese in texture and is a main side dish with Mexican food. It is perfect for dipping the corn tortilla chips in and mixing with salsa and sour cream, or to pour over the flour tortillas.
Queso blanco and queso fresco are essentially the same thing, aside from both have cow’s milk in their ingredients, and the queso fresco also has goat’s milk, but they are both used the same way, the aged version of queso fresco is called queso anejo.
Quaker Oats
Quaker Oats company was established in 1877 by Henry Parsons Crowell who loved the values of the Quakers, so he named his company after them. 100% whole grain oats is the only ingredient. Since then, so many different flavors have been invented for the oats.
This is a very popular dish for breakfast, but I prefer it in oatmeal cookies!
Quills Pasta
This style of pasta is also known as penne pasta. Penne in Latin means quill, referring to the shape of the pasta noodle. Penne pasta is used in many different dishes. A fiery Penne Pasta which is made with chili peppers, hence the name fiery, and tomato sauce, for a spicy dish full of flavor.
Penne pasta is also used in a dish made with various cheeses melted into a thick sauce, flavored with garlic and other spices. These dishes are perfectly paired with a warm loaf of garlic bread.
Which “Q” food is your favorite?
Do you have a favorite food that starts with Q that isn’t on our list? Or even a favorite recipe? We’d love to hear about it, so leave us a comment below!
MEET THE AUTHOR
Amanda
As a mom of 4 kids (and the oldest of 4 kids herself), Amanda has over 30 years of parenting experience. A former special education teacher, Amanda has a Master’s degree in Special Education and a second M. Ed. in Educational Leadership.
When she’s not working, Amanda enjoys DIY projects, exercising, photography, and long walks through Target.
You can find Amanda on all social media at @parentingnestblog and @amandaseghetti