There’s just something about P-themed foods that my tastebuds can’t get enough of! On this entire list of 25 foods, there’s not a single one I don’t enjoy. Do you have a thing for P-themed foods, as well?
Foods Beginning With P
1. Papaya
Papayas are tropical fruits that are either orangey-red or yellow, depending on the specific variation. They have a melon-like flavor and are sweet and juicy. Each papaya is full of tiny black seeds that are also edible. They’re spicy and taste better when eaten with savory foods than alongside the papaya.
2. Pineapple
Just about everyone knows what pineapples are, so I won’t waste time explaining. What a lot of people don’t know, however, is that a pineapple isn’t a single fruit. It’s a bunch of berries that grow and fuse together into one large pineapple, which scientists refer to as a “collective fruit” or a “multiple fruit.” Isn’t that cool?
3. Peas
There are three types of peas: snow peas, sugar snap peas, and English peas. People think there are more because they grew up eating black-eyed peas, chickpeas, sweet peas, and field peas. In reality, many “peas” are actually beans, such as black-eyed peas, or they’re one of the three varieties of peas, and we’re just calling them by another name. For example, sweet peas are English peas. Which pea is your favorite?
4. Pomelo
Pomelos are the largest of all the citrus fruits and can grow up to a foot in diameter. When fully ripe, they’re a yellowish color, although they may still retain some green on their rinds. The inside of the fruits is usually yellow or pinkish, surrounded by thick, inedible white sections called piths. Pomelos are closely related to grapefruits and taste a bit like them, as well. Some varieties are sweeter than grapefruits and have a floral-like taste.
5. Pears
There are several varieties of pears grown and sold worldwide, and all of them look, smell, and taste different. Some of the most commonly consumed varieties include red and green anjou, bartlett, bosc, and comice. Asian pears have also grown in popularity over the last few years. All pears are healthy, but scientists believe Asian pears provide many health benefits, accounting for their recent rise in popularity.
6. Pork
The term ‘pork’ is used to classify any meat that comes from domesticated pigs. Bacon, sausage, and ham are all types of pork. There are also pork ribs, pork tenderloins, ground pork, pork chops, pork loin, and more.
7. Peach
Peaches are apple-sized, round fruits that range in color from pale pink to orange. They have fuzzy skins that are edible, but eating them feels funny that most people choose to peel them instead. They’re sweet, juicy, and high in vitamins A and C. Fun food fact: Peaches are the official state fruit of Georgia, known as “The Peach State” because of all the peaches grown there.
8. Pomegranate
Pomegranate: The food that kept Persephone tied to Hades for the rest of her life. That’s a mighty fruit. In the real world, they’re also powerful, being high in vitamin C and rich in antioxidants. They’re incredibly healthy. They’re red fruits with edible seeds. To eat them, you crack them open and pluck out the seeds. Careful, though, they’re messy and will stain your fingers, mouth, and clothes.
9. Pizza
Ah, pizza! It’s one food we all know and love. Though it originated in Italy, pizza is vastly different here in American than it is in its home country. Here, we cover it in tomato sauce and cheese. Then we add everything to it, from onions, pepperoni, and peppers to pineapples, barbeque chicken, and anchovies. In Italy, pizza generally has a thin but fluffy crust. It sometimes has tomato sauce, but the tomato sauce is usually left chilled and added after the pizza finishes cooking. Other pizzas have no tomato sauce; chefs simply drizzle them in olive oil for extra flavor. Italian pizza toppings are different, too, including even more oddities such as truffles, eggplant, pumpkin, capers, artichokes, and more. One thing is still the same, though: No matter where you eat it, pizza is delicious!
10. Pepperoni
Pepperoni is another of those foods most everyone knows, whether they eat it by itself or on top of their pizzas. It’s an Americanized salami made from beef and pork that’s been seasoned with chili powder, paprika, and other spices to give it a bit of heat.
11. Peppers
Because there are over 50,000 different kinds of peppers globally, I can’t possibly list them all. They range in taste from sweet and mild to “melt your eyes out” hot. As of 2013, the title of “World’s Hottest Pepper” went to the Carolina reaper, stealing the crown from the Trinidad moruga scorpion, which held the title in 2012. To this day, the Carolina reaper still wears the crown.
12. Plums
While there aren’t 50,000 varieties of plums, there are quite a few, especially considering all the cross/hybrid varieties. Plums range in color from striking yellow to deep purple. With few exceptions, though, most plums are sweet, with very little tartness to them. Like nectarines, peaches, and other fruits with a “pit” in the middle, plums are considered stone fruits.
13. Pickles
Although many things get pickled, pickled cucumbers are the only ones we love so much that they got their own name: pickles. Pickles are cucumbers that have been left to ferment in vinegar, brine, or acetic acid. They’re seasoned differently depending on what the desired taste is. Some pickles are seasoned to be “sweet pickles,” while others are pickled with dill seed to become “dill pickles.” Other varieties include bread and butter pickles and hot pickles.
14. Pie
There are also a wide variety of pies in the world. There are oven-baked round pies, no-bake pies usually served chilled, turnover-style pies, and more. The potential pie fillings are just as numerous. Fruit fillings are popular, but people also enjoy chocolate pies, caramel pies, Oreo pies, and cream pies. Most people associate pies with dessert, but when you add chicken and turkey pot pies, that’s not true anymore! Pies are versatile, so I decided to cheat and just go with the dictionary definition on this one: “a baked dish of fruit, or meat and vegetables, typically with a top and base of pastry.” (Guess the Oxford English dictionary forgot about no-bake pies and pizza pies, huh?)
15. Porridge
Porridge is a thick, lumpy, usually cream-colored mush that’s traditionally eaten for breakfast. Think of it as slightly soupy oatmeal, and you’ll be picturing it correctly. In fact, oatmeal is a type of porridge, but porridge can also be any grain, including rice and corn, that’s boiled to a porridge-like consistency. Some people call it “hot cereal.”
16. Potatoes
Potatoes are root vegetables, also called “tubers,” native to North and South America, but they’re grown just about everywhere now. There are several different varieties, but the most well-known is probably russet potatoes, which are the large, brown potatoes on which Mr. Potato Head was modeled. There are also sweet potatoes, red potatoes, and purple potatoes.
17. Pancakes
Is it okay if I just say pancakes are heaven’s food and leave it at that? Seriously, though, pancakes are soft, fluffy, and warm. They’re easy to make and can be as plain or as sweet as you want to make them. If you’ve gone through life not knowing what pancakes are, go to IHOP and rectify that immediately.
18. Popcorn
Popcorn is the ultimate movie theater snack. It’s made from heating corn kernels until they erupt into fluffy, crunchy, salty bites of joy. Smother them in butter and add a little cheese salt, and you’re ready to go.
19. Persimmon
Persimmons’ claim to fame is that they can predict the upcoming winter weather. According to legend, you can split a persimmon and check out its inner cotyledon. If the cotyledon looks like a fork, the winter will be mild. If it looks like a spoon, it’ll be a snow-heavy winter, and you’ll constantly be shoveling (represented by the spoon) snow. If the cotyledon looks like a knife, the winter will be deadly cold with icy winds that “cut like a knife.” Aside from their dubious weather predictions, persimmons are also edible. Just be sure to wait until they’re fully softened; otherwise, they’re very bitter.
20. Paprika
Paprika is a delightful, bright red spice usually made from crushed red peppers. Some brands mix in dried and crushed bell peppers and chili peppers, as well. Depending on the specific peppers used, paprika can either be mild and sweet or hot and spicy.
21. Peanuts
Although they’re called peanuts, they’re actually in the legume family along with beans, peas, and lentils. People eat peanuts in all kinds of ways – raw, roasted, or even boiled. When bought in the store, they come salted or unsalted. Fun food fact: Despite what television has taught us, elephants are not big fans of peanuts.
22. Peanut Butter
We can’t talk about peanuts without talking about peanut butter! Creamy or crunchy, peanut butter is an American favorite. It’s a delicious spread made from dry-roasted peanuts, sugar, salt, and a few other ingredients. Whether you’re pairing it with jelly or eating it straight from the jar with a spoon, you’ll get no judgment from me. Peanut butter is fantastic.
23. Plantains
Plantains are larger, slightly tougher bananas. Unlike bananas, though, they aren’t meant to be eaten raw. They’re often cooked as vegetables, even though they’re technically fruits. Many Caribbean recipes call for plantains, and chefs often fry them until the edges are caramelized and crispy.
24. Pita
Pita is a type of unleavened bread. It’s usually flat and round, though people can shape it however they want. Despite its flatness, it’s typically soft and a little squishy. It’s primarily used for wraps and “sandwiches,” although some people serve it with hummus and other dips.
25. Pizzelle
The literal translation of pizzelle is something close to “small, flat, and round,” which perfectly describes these traditional Italian waffle cookies. They’re gorgeous to look at, usually sporting intricate designs. They’re traditionally made from sugar, butter, flour, eggs, and vegetable oil, though some people substitute ingredients to make them soft rather than crispy. They’re sweet and scrumptious and taste even better when served with a sweet dipping sauce like melted chocolate or maple syrup. Click on a star to rate it!
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