Plenty of delicious vegetables start with the letter M. If you are looking for tasty, fresh and unusual surfaces in the first place.
Vegetables with the letter M are numerous and healthy.
We have prepared a handy list of vegetables, their characteristics and suggestions for preparation.
You’ll love it, we’re sure. We are confident that you will find something for yourself.
Vegetables that start with M – The Ultimate List
1. Mushrooms
There are more than 300 types of edible mushrooms, of which only a dozen are commercially grown and used in food.
Due to their nutritional value, mushrooms can replace many vital foods.
The healthiest mushrooms are challenging to single out, given that the nutritional value varies among species.
All mushrooms are classified as superfoods because of their high nutritional properties.
They are low in calories, fiber, protein and antioxidants source.
Mushrooms can do many good things for our bodies. They have antibacterial and cholesterol-lowering properties, are suitable for the system and can even help prevent or treat Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, high blood pressure and cancer.
Mushrooms are an excellent meat substitute, and some studies have shown that a substance in mushroom extracts can also actively lower cholesterol levels.
They are an excellent source of selenium, a powerful antioxidant the body needs for proper functioning.
It is also significant for metabolism and thyroid gland function and protection against damage caused by oxidative stress.
However, it is important to emphasize that certain types of mushrooms can be poisonous and even fatal.
That is why it is crucial to pick mushrooms yourself only if you are sure they are edible.
2. Malabar spinach
Malabar spinach is a green leafy vegetable popular all over the world. Although it has the name Spanish in its name, this plant is a distant relative of today’s spinach.
It is a perennial plant from Asia, most likely from India, Sri Lanka or Indonesia. It is also called Indian, Ceylon or Spanish vine.
In addition to being used for eating, it can be grown as an ornamental plant.
As for the edible leaves, they are reminiscent of spinach but with slight hints of pepper and citrus.
Young leaves can be eaten in salads, raw, steamed or blanched.
Due to its property of being slightly slimy, you can use it to thicken soups or cooked dishes.
This is precisely why some people don’t like him too much.
The leaves of this plant can be eaten all year round, although when the plant begins to flower, the leaves become bitter.
This plant thrives best in warm regions on very moist soil.
It’s a superfood because of the many nutrients it contains. This type of vegetable provides the necessary proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
It is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, folate and manganese.
Moreover, it contains vitamin B, which makes it a very healthy and nutritious vegetable.
3. Malanga
Malanga is a starchy vegetable popular in Caribbean, South American and African cuisine.
Malanga is for you if you are looking for exotic vegetables instead of the usual ones like potatoes or broccoli.
It has thick and fleshy leaves and grows mainly in tropical areas.
The root is also fleshy and brown.
Interestingly, people have cultivated Malanga longer than many other plants.
Although it has been used in black and Latino communities for years, this vegetable is a well-kept secret.
The root or tuber of this plant is edible, although some people eat the leaves. The tuber grows underground and they are the size of a potato.
This highly revered vegetable could play a significant role in providing food in areas where food supplies are scarce.
The edible part of Malanga is light. It is used by first peeling off the hairy brown skin.
It can be prepared in different ways. It can be boiled, baked, fried and stewed.
In addition, some people use it by grinding it and making Malanga flour.
It has numerous health benefits. It contains vitamin B, which is responsible for a sound immune system and skin, hair and nails health.
It is an ideal substitute for flour, especially for people allergic to gluten, because it does not contain it.
It contains complex carbohydrates that have a significant impact on blood sugar levels.
4. Marrow
Marrow looks very similar to squash. However, unlike zucchini, they have hard skin and a mild and neutral taste.
This vegetable grows best in a warm climate and on well-drained soil. Also, it requires a certain amount of shade to thrive.
Although it is grown worldwide, this vegetable is native to Mexico and Central America.
Together with corn and beans, it was the leading food of the Indians.
It can be eaten raw but also seasoned in salads with other vegetables.
Also, it can be fried, baked, and filled with different fillings. It can be cooked or used as a side dish with rice.
Apart from the fruit, edible flowers and seeds are also edible. The seeds, if soft, can be eaten fresh or ground into a paste.
Ripe seeds of this plant can be dried and ground into flour, which can later be used to make bread.
The green parts can also be cooked as greens.
They are available throughout the year and can be found in markets and grocery stores.
5. Mangetout
Mangetout is a type of garden pea. The name is of French origin and means “Eat everything”.
According to reliable sources, it is one of the earliest cultivated plants.
These peas are harvested very young
, so young that the pod is still flat and its grains are barely developed. As a result, there are five to seven peas in a pod.
It is also known by the names snow or sugar pea.
This type of peas can be cooked as it is. However, it would be best if you took care when buying them.
They are fresh when they are brightly colored and crunchy.
They go well with seafood, both hot and cold.
It is an excellent salad ingredient, too.
Legumes contain carbohydrates, but this pea includes significantly less than ordinary peas.
6. Methi
Methi is a type of plant also known as Fenugreek. This plant is beneficial because of its seeds, fresh and dried leaves.
It is grown in North Africa and the Mediterranean.
Methi has been known since ancient times as a remedy for many ailments. Methi can be classified as one of the natural wonders of ancient times when it was highly praised and appreciated. It is one of the oldest medicinal plants.
Medicinal properties of Methi were also known from ancient Egypt to ancient Greece, and even the prophet Muhammad said about it: “If you knew the value of this plant, you would pay for its weight in gold.”
It is very functional and nutritious. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber as well as other nutrients.
It is particularly rich in phytochemicals such as carbohydrates, alkaloids, amino acids and minerals.
In folk medicine, it is used for anorexia and body weakness due to considerable body mass loss.
The seeds of this plant are collected when they are ripe, usually in August. After it is collected, it is dried and only then is it ready for use, either as a tea, a spice, or an ingredient in some cosmetic products.
In medicine and nutrition, its seeds are used, an inevitable ingredient in curries and other spice mixtures very popular in India and the Middle East.
India, known as the land of spices, is the largest producer of Methi, which is widely used as an essential ingredient.
7. Maitake
Maitake is a giant mushroom that can reach the size of a soccer ball and grows for many years in the same place at the base of trees, especially oaks.
It is very sensitive to changes in the environment, so it takes work to grow it.
In Japan, it is known as Maitake, which means dancing mushroom. Moreover, in Japan, Maitake is a widely used culinary mushroom, the main ingredient of the national dish nabe.
It is also an important ingredient in many dishes (it is often prepared only with butter in foil).
It can reach a weight of over 20 kilograms, which is why it is also known as the queen of mushrooms.
Maitake is rich in minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium), vitamins (B2, D2, niacin), fiber, and amino acids.
Along with other medicinal mushrooms, Maitake is used to improve the overall health and vitality of the body.
It grows in northeastern Japan and North America, and in traditional medicine, it is valued as an adaptogen that balances the body and brings it back to normal.
Maitake is used for:
- lowering blood pressure
- in the fight against cancer
- to improve the functions of the immune system.
Research has shown that Maitake can regulate blood pressure, glucose, insulin and is helpful in weight loss.
This mushroom is especially recommended for preventing cancer and its spread because it can activate killer cells and stimulate the production of interleukin 1.
This mushroom extract is available as a dietary supplement to improve the immune system.
8. Morels
Morels are another edible mushroom on our list of vegetables, starting with M. This mushroom belongs to the Morchellaceae family.
They are also known as yellow morel, true morel, morel mushroom, and sponge morel.
It inhabits forests and grasslands on clay. You can find it on sandy terrains and the edges of gardens.
They have a specific earthy, nutty taste. Unlike other mushrooms, these mushrooms are meatier.
The shape can vary from oblong to oval. Color too.
It can range from blue to gray. They are easy to recognize because their appearance resembles a honeycomb. Their insides are white and hollow.
It is an edible mushroom and is very popular among chefs worldwide and among mushroom lovers. And why?
They are grown only in the wild, unlike cultivated mushrooms that you can find in stores.
Although there were attempts to breed them, it wasn’t easy to maintain them. This means picking them only from where they grow naturally is possible.
They can usually be found in the forested areas of Europe and North America.
It should not be eaten raw but well thermally processed because otherwise, it causes more severe digestive problems.
As with other mushrooms, these mushrooms also have doubles and deadly ones.
Doppelgangers are usually reddish-brown to yellow. Their cap hangs on the side and they are not hollow inside.
9. Mung beans
Mung beans are often called green gram or golden gram. It may be new to most people, but this bean has been part of the traditional Ayurvedic diet in India for thousands of years.
It is considered a favorite food and has been a traditional form of medicine in Indian culture since, say, 1500 B.C.
It is one of the healthiest forms of plant protein. In addition to critical amino acids, they contain antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
It appears in kitchens worldwide, most often in India, the Philippines, China and Korea.
It can be found in different forms. For example, you can buy whole, cleaned, uncooked beans. Moreover, it is available in dried powder form.
They can be found as bean noodles or as sprouted seeds. Its dried seeds can be eaten raw or cooked, pickled, or ground into flour.
10. Mooli
Mooli is a white radish that can be eaten raw or cooked. It comes from Asia and is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world.
In addition, it is a prevalent ingredient in their cuisine.
This root plant tolerates low temperatures well and is excellent for consumption during autumn and winter.
In addition to having an exciting taste, it is also ideal for health, as well as a good appearance of the body.
White radish has very few calories, 18 calories per 100 g. Thanks to its rich and effectual composition, white radish is considered a superfood, and the Japanese call it a “body cleanser”.
Some of the most notable benefits of using white radish include its ability to prevent certain types of cancer, boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and stimulate weight loss.
Other vegetables that start with M
Mallow
Microgreens
Mizuna
Mustard greens
Final thoughts
That would be all for now.
You must admit that our ultimate list of vegetables, starting with the letter M, is inspiring.
We hope we have interested you in some new vegetables you have yet to prepare.
Or we gave you the idea to prepare it entirely new. The choice is endless, and all you have to do is choose something for yourself.
Read also: Vegetables That Start With K / Vegetables That Starts With L
