Foods That Start With S | 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 S, 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 S.
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Vegetables that start with S
Sieva Beans
A common name for the sieva bean is the lima bean, or butter bean. A fun fact about these delicious green beans is they were a favorite snack of Thomas Jefferson.
These beans are great cooked by themself or added to soup. They soak up the flavor of whatever they are cooked with, making them that much more delicious.
In the South, they are commonly boiled with bacon or a ham hock to add that salty pork taste to the dish.
Snow Peas
Snow peas are quite delicious and can be enjoyed in different cuisines. They are consumed whole inside their flat pods.
They are delicious eaten raw, as a healthy snack, and can be dipped in hummus, ranch, or other salad dressings. They are also great when added into salads.
Another way to bring out the sweet flavor of these delicious peas is to stir fry them with chili peppers and green onions in sesame oil.
Soybean
The soybean (also known as the soya bean or edamame), is used to make many foods in the United States. Written records of the soybean have been found that are dated back to 2838 BC!
These beans are commonly used across Southeast Asia and are frequently used in Asian cuisine. Soy beans are used as a meat substitute (tofu), dairy free soy milk, soybean oil, and a common ingredient for many dishes in Chinese cuisine, soy sauce.
If you order edamame as an appetizer in a Japanese restaurant, you can sprinkle a little salt on the pods and then use your teeth to pull the little beans out. Don’t eat the pod though! It doesn’t taste very good.
Spinach
Spinach is considered a superfood. Because of the loaded amount of essential nutrients that our bodies need. A few of the health benefits that come from eating spinach are having a healthy immune system to keep you more protected from viruses, healthy bones, full of antioxidants which helps with inflammation, and may help reduce the risk of cancer.
This leafy green vegetable can be consumed raw and is often eaten in salads, however it is less bitter when roasted, stir fried, added into soups, stews, or even in smoothies.
Sugar Beets
Sugar beets might not be the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about sweeteners, but they play a significant role in sugar production. This root vegetable is grown specifically for their high sugar content, which is extracted and used to make sugar.
Fun fact: sugar beets are actually one of the primary sources of sugar worldwide! They’re also quite versatile in the kitchen. You can enjoy them roasted, boiled, or even grated raw in salads.
Aside from their sweet taste, sugar beets are a good source of dietary fiber, folate, and potassium. So, the next time you scoop some white sugar into your coffee, remember that it might just come from these humble and surprisingly sweet beets!
Sweet Potatoes
The sweet potato is a healthy food that is a root vegetable, but is actually used for a couple different desserts, as well as a side dish. This vegetable is great for so many different recipes.
Replace your regular fries and baked potatoes, with sweet potato fries, for a guiltless pleasure. Or, bake them, smash them, add in some brown sugar and bake inside a pie crust for sweet potato pie, or add the sweet filling to a casserole dish, whip up some meringue with egg whites and marshmallows, and serve up a delicious sweet potato casserole.
This sweet potato dish with apples and cranberries is a flavorful side dish during the holiday season!
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard, with its vibrant, colorful stems and dark green leaves, is not only visually appealing but also incredibly nutritious. This leafy vegetable is packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like iron and magnesium.
Swiss chard actually belongs to the same family as beets and spinach! You can enjoy both the leaves and the stems of Swiss chard, which have slightly different flavors and textures. Whether you sauté it, steam it, or use it in salads and stir-fries, Swiss chard adds a delicious and nutritious touch to any meal, and is often use in dishes similarly to kale.
Fruits that start with S
Sapodilla
Have you ever heard of sapodilla? It’s a tropical fruit that’s often overlooked but definitely worth discovering. When you slice open a sapodilla, you’ll find a luscious, sweet flesh that’s often described as having a caramel-like flavor. It’s absolutely delightful!
Fun fact: Sapodilla is rich in dietary fiber, which can help keep your digestive system happy and healthy. Plus, it’s packed with essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin C and potassium.
Whether you enjoy it fresh, turn it into a smoothie, or use it in baking, sapodilla is a tasty tropical treat that deserves a spot on your fruit radar.
Star Fruit
Starfruit, also known as carambola, is a tropical fruit that showcases a visually stunning star-shaped pattern when sliced crosswise. It was introduced to North and South America in 1935, and is now very popular in Asia.
It has a unique flavor profile, combining sweet and sour taste reminiscent of citrus and apple. Rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, starfruit offers potential health benefits and is low in calories.
It may be eaten raw, like other popular fruits, as a healthy snack. It can be squeezed for its fruit juice or made into a fruit puree and blended with ice cream or coconut milk for a delicious smoothie that little kids would love! They even make a star fruit flavored soft drink.
While it can be enjoyed fresh or added to various dishes, individuals with kidney problems should exercise caution due to its oxalic acid content.
Strawberry
Ah, strawberries! These little red gems are one of my favorite foods. Did you know that strawberries aren’t actually berries? They’re technically aggregate fruits because they develop from a single flower with multiple ovaries. Fascinating, right?
One of the things that make strawberries so appealing is their vibrant color and enticing aroma. They’re often associated with love and romance, and you’ll often find them in chocolates, desserts, and even cocktails. They’re like a burst of freshness in every bite!
Strawberries are packed with goodness too. They’re low in calories but high in essential nutrients like vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. These antioxidants help protect our bodies against cell damage and may even have anti-inflammatory properties.
When it comes to enjoying strawberries, you can savor them on their own, toss them into a fruit salad, or blend them into a refreshing smoothie. And let’s not forget the classic combination of strawberries and cream—it’s a match made in dessert heaven!
Interestingly, strawberries have a unique characteristic—they’re one of the few fruits that wear their seeds on the outside. Yes, those tiny dots on their skin are actually the fruit’s seeds. So the next time you bite into a strawberry, take a moment to appreciate its textured beauty.
Whether you pick them yourself at a local farm or find them at your neighborhood grocery store, strawberries are a delightful treat that brightens up any dish or occasion. So go ahead, indulge in the sweet, juicy goodness of these wonderful fruits!
Other foods that start with S
Sardines
Sardines are a small, oily fish with white flesh from the herring family that is packages as raw fish Some come pre-seasoned with black pepper, tomato sauce or lemon juice. It can be cooked, but mostly is consumed uncooked.
Sardines have been around since the 15th century. These fish are full of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Sausage
Sausage is a ground meat that is made from mainly beef or pork, but can be made from poultry. It is seasoned and packaged according to whichever type of sausage is being made. There are so many different varieties of sausage.
Sausage can be used as a breakfast food, or for grilling, or soups. Sausage can be mild or spicy. Also, it can come in a package used for ground meat, or it can be made into links or patties. Sausage is combined with many different foods to make certain dishes.
Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are a seed packed full of beneficial nutrients, such as fiber, protein, Vitamin B, healthy fats and antioxidants. If consuming an adequate amount, not just garnishing your bread or salad, this type of seed can aid in lowering blood pressure.
There are two different types of sesame seeds. There is white sesame and the black sesame. Both are equally nutritional, however, the black seeds contain higher amounts of calcium. If you need a substitute for sesame seeds, sunflower seeds are the most similar.
Sourdough Bread
This type of bread is made a bit differently than traditional bread. Instead of using commercial yeast to rise, sourdough uses wild yeast to aid in fermentation which causes the sour-like taste. It is said that sourdough bread is a prebiotic which feeds the intestines the “good” bacteria.
The slices of bread that come from this loaf hold their shape and are best used for toasting, stuffing, breadcrumbs and bread pudding.
Sushi
Sushi is a very popular food with Japanese cuisine which typically is rolled up with vinegar rice, and thin slices of raw fish or raw seafood, including sea urchins.
There are many different variations of sushi. It can also contain cooked meat, such as fried shrimp. This item is usually served with wasabi paste and thin slices of ginger.
Swiss Cheese
Swiss cheese has been around since the 15th century, and its origin is in its name. It was first made in Switzerland. This cheese is very distinctive in appearance. It is full of holes that are caused from the release of carbon dioxide.
There are over 400 different kinds of Swiss cheese! This cheese has a sweet, mild and nutty flavor. It is a good melting cheese which makes it a great choice for a cheese sauce, pastries, sandwiches, and pastas.
Which “S” food is your favorite?
Do you have a favorite food that starts with S 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