Not only are there foods that begin with X, but there are actually quite a few of them. Several of them are foreign foods; a few are merely ingredients, and others only work if you’re willing to abbreviate (such as “Xmas cookies” instead of “Christmas cookies”). Even so, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could come up with 25 X foods!
1. Xigua
Xigua sounds like something strange and exotic, but in reality, it’s a watermelon. Xigua is simply the Chinese name for the fruit. There are four main types of watermelon (xigua): yellow, icebox, seedless, and picnic.
2. Xigua Popsicles
Now that you know what xigua is, it shouldn’t be hard to guess what xigua popsicles are. They’re popsicles made of watermelon, of course! And yes, I mean that literally. You’ll slice a watermelon in a thin, triangular shape and stick it on a popsicle stick, then freeze.
3. Xiaodianxin
This is another exotic word for something everyone commonly eats – cookies. Xiaodianxin is the Chinese word for cookies. So the next time you pop an Oreo in your mouth, remember you’re eating a xiaodianxin.
4. X Cookies
The only two things that anyone seems to agree on about X cookies are that they’re originally from Sicily, and they have figs in them. Beyond that, the recipes differ widely. They’re yummy, though, and they get their name from their distinctive X shape. They’re not super sweet, even though people usually cover them with powdered sugar.
5. Xacuti
Sometimes spelled with one ‘t’ and sometimes with two, xacuti is a type of spicy curry made in India. It contains dried red chilies, coconut, and white poppy seeds. It has a lot of heat, but it’s also somewhat sweet, and people often use it when cooking chicken.
6. Xocolatl
Sometimes referred to as “the Mayan food of the gods,” xocolatl is where we get the word “chocolate.” It’s an Aztec word used to describe a chocolate drink similar to our hot cocoa. People still drink xocolatl today. It’s not as sweet as “normal” hot chocolate, and it’s made with a green chile, which gives it a bit of a kick. Many people drink it chilled for a more authentic experience.
7. Xiao Long Bao
Although you may have never heard the term xiao long bao before, you’ve almost certainly seen the food. Xiao long bao are Chinese soup dumplings. Watching someone making them is a real treat, although the process from beginning to end takes some time. When done, they’re pretty delicious, though.
8. Xnipec
Xnipec is a type of chunky salsa made with habanero peppers and other veggies. It’s hotter than your average salsa, but it also has a wonderfully fresh taste, thanks to all the raw ingredients. It’s great with tortilla chips or even with mini-toast eaten like bruschetta.
9. Xidoufen
This is another popular Chinese dish, most commonly served in the Yunnan province. It’s a soup made from peameal, various peppers and pepper flakes, onions, garlic, and other herbs. Unlike many soups, which are served with dumplings, people usually eat xidoufen with flatbread.
10. Xavier Soup
Named for Saint Francis Xavier, people often prepare and serve this traditional Italian soup on Saint Xavier’s feast day, which is December 3. It’s a thicker soup that’ll put you in mind of chicken and dumplings. Unless cooks decide to spice it up, and some do, it has a simple, mild flavor that’s nonetheless tasty.
11. Xylitol
Xylitol has become more and more popular over the past few years as more people turn to low-carb and ketogenic diets to lose weight. Xylitol is a type of sugar alcohol found in fruits and veggies. Companies use it as a substitute for sugar in diet foods, especially diet sweets. It’s safe for humans, but it’s incredibly toxic to dogs and cats.
12. Xia Mi
All I can say is, thank goodness for China! Without the Chinese language, this wouldn’t have been much of a list. Xia mi is the Chinese word for “small shrimp.” It’s a type of dried, tiny shrimp used in recipes and salads. Because it’s small and dry, it’s treated more as a condiment than food you’ll sit down and eat by itself.
13. XO Sauce
If you’re a fan of umami, you’ll probably enjoy XO sauce. Originally made in Hong Kong, it’s an extremely spicy sauce that people usually eat with seafood.
14. Xoconostle
Although you may have never heard of xoconostle, you’ve probably heard of prickly pear or cactus fruit, which is what xoconostle is. It’s a pear-shaped cactus fruit that’s smooth and juicy on the inside. It has a grassy taste that’s sour and bitter, and it’s usually eaten in soups, stews, and other dishes with several ingredients.
15. Xampinyons en Salsa
When you read the recipe for xampinyons en salsa, it sounds terrific. It’s a dish of mushrooms flavored with garlic, onions, sherry, tomato puree, cloves, parsley, and other herbs and spices. I bet it tastes great, too. However, it’s not the most appetizing looking dish, so despite my curiosity, I have not tried it.
16. Xylocarp Cupcakes
Xylocarps are a type of fruit that’s very similar in appearance, taste, and texture to coconuts. Xylocarp cupcakes are cupcakes flavored with shredded xylocarp.
17. Xoi
If you live in the U.S., xoi isn’t something you’ve probably ever eaten. However, it’s hugely popular in Vietnam. It’s a well-known dish made from glutinous rice, and depending on how the chef wants to make it, it can be sweet or savory. People eat sweet xoi for breakfast or dessert. Savory xoi is usually served for lunch or dinner.
18. Xingren Donfu
If you’ve ever visited China, you probably learned quickly that the Chinese people aren’t big on desserts. Restaurants rarely serve them, and they’re not a normal part of everyday meals in most homes. Xingren donfu, however, is the exception that proves the rule. It’s a soft, super sweet dessert made from almond milk, agar-agar, sugar, and gelatin. It brings literal meaning to “melts in your mouth.”
19. Ximenia
Ximenia is a fruit that’s native to tropical regions, although some people grow it in Florida now. It’s a roundish, orangey-yellow fruit that resembles an unripe tomato. In some places, it’s known as the hog plum, wild plum, or yellow plum. A ximenia’s taste can range from bitter and nutty to exceptionally sweet, but other than a few animals, not much eats the fruit raw. We do use it to make juices, jams, and jellies, though.
20. Xiphias
Xiphias include various types of swordfish that live in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. They are technically edible, and some more daring gastronomes eat them. However, because they contain a substance known as methylmercury, most people stay away from them. Just as there are some people who like to tempt fate by eating fugu, there are others who simply must try xiphias.
21. Xiangjiao
I would almost be willing to bet that everyone reading this article has had a xiangjiao at some point in his or her life. That’s because ‘xiangjiao’ is another Chinese word. The American translation is ‘banana.’ The next time you enjoy a delicious xiaodianxin (remember this one?), you might want to have a xiangjiao with it to make it just a little bit healthier.
22. Xavier Steaks
Xavier steaks are incredibly, mouthwateringly good, but like X cookies, no two recipes for them are the same. There are a few common ingredients in each, though. Most chefs agree that Xavier steaks should be made from New York Strip steaks. Most also top them with asparagus and Swiss cheese and flavor them with Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. As with most steaks, I think you should cook them medium-rare to medium, but other people insist the best Xavier steaks are medium to medium-well.
23. Xalapa Punch
Xalapa punch is an adult beverage made from a lot of strangely different things. To make it, you’ll combine rum, brandy, honey, lemons, red wine, orange rinds, and black tea. I know; it’s very odd, right? I’ve never had it myself, but I’d be interested in trying it. It seems like it would have a very exotic flavor.
24. Xmas Cakes
I may have cheated just a tiny bit with this one… and with number 25, as well, but 25 X foods made a much better list than 23 X foods would have! The term “Xmas cakes,” or Christmas cakes, can encompass a wide variety of cakes that are usually baked and eaten or gifted around Christmastime. Fruitcakes, spice cakes, and red velvet cakes could all be considered Xmas cakes. There is actually a Christmas cake, which is basically an iced fruitcake.
25. Xmas Cookies
I know; I cheated again. Xmas cookies, or Christmas cookies, are any cookie that’s baked and exchanged as a Christmas gift. They’re often made into fun shapes like Christmas trees, gingerbread men, stars, presents, wreaths, and more. Click on a star to rate it!
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