40 Foods That Start With Z (With Examples)

Have you ever tried to think of all the foods that start with Z? I have. Instead of counting sheep, I think of all the foods that start with each letter of the alphabet. There's not a very long list when it comes to the letter Z. In case you're looking to solve this mystery too, here's a list of foods that start with Z.

What Foods Start With Z?

Some popular foods that start with Z include zucchini, ziti, zeppole, zoodles, Zagnut, zebra cakes, zongzi, za'atar, and Zuppa Toscana. The list also includes lesser-known foods from around the world, from Italian desserts to traditional Polish soups and Japanese noodle dishes.

Foods That Start With Z by Category

Fruits and vegetables: Zucchini, zucchini flowers, zapote, zig zag vine fruit. Pasta and noodles: Ziti, zaru udon, zhajiangmian, zoodles. Desserts and sweets: Zabaglione, zaleti, zeppole, zuccotto. Snacks & Junk Food: Zagnut, zebra cakes, Zingers. Soups and savory dishes: Zuppa Toscana, zurek, zoni, zapiekanka.

Za'atar

Za'atar is two things - an herb and a spice blend. The spice blend is more commonly known, especially in the US, and is often used in recipes for hummus, as a seasoning for meats, or stirred into soups and sauces. Za'atar recipes do vary, but they usually include a mix of sesame seeds, thyme, oregano, sumac, and salt. The herb za'atar is known as Syrian oregano or wild thyme.

Zabaglione (Zabaione, Zabajone)

Zabaglione or Zabaione is Italian and can be either a dessert or a drink. In dessert form, it is a custard made with eggs, sugar, and a sweet wine like marsala. It is great paired with fresh berries or cookies. The beverage is made with the same ingredients, but the liqueur may vary.

Zagnut

Zagnut is a Hershey candy bar that dates back to 1930. It is still produced today, but it may be harder to find. The recipe has stayed the same over the years and is a crunchy peanut butter center wrapped in toasted coconut flakes.

Zaleti

Zaleti is a Venetian cookie made from cornmeal, flour, raisins, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, butter, and lemon. Perfect to pair with tea or coffee.

Zampone

Zampone is a traditional Italian sausage made by stuffing a boned pig's trotter with seasoned pork. It is typically cooked and served sliced with lentils, especially around New Year's.

Zander

Zander is a freshwater fish native to Europe with mild, white flesh. It can be roasted, grilled, or fried, either whole or as fillets.

Zante Currants

Zante currants are small raisins made from the seedless grapes known as Black Corinth. They are thought to be one of the oldest types of raisin and may have been cultivated in Ancient Greece.

Zapiekanka

Zapiekanka is a popular Polish street food. It is a hot open-faced sandwich made from a sliced and toasted baguette with sauteed mushrooms, cheese, and sometimes ham, and topped with ketchup.

Zapote (Sapote)

Sapote is a name used for several tropical fruits, so the appearance and flavor depend on the variety. Mamey sapote, for example, has rough brown skin and sweet orange flesh. The large seed is not eaten.

Zaru Udon

Zaru Udon is a Japanese cold noodle dish in which the Udon noodles are cooked, then chilled and served with a flavorful dipping sauce that is often soy sauce based.

Zarzuela

Often called Zarzuela de Mariscos, this is a Spanish seafood stew similar to a bouillabaisse or cioppino. It is traditionally made with a tomato-based broth, almond paste, cured pork, and plenty of shellfish.

Zebra Cakes

A popular snack cake produced by Little Debbie made with yellow cake, coated in white icing, and finished with fudge stripes.

Zelnik

Zelnik is a savory pastry found in the Balkans, made with thin layers of dough and fillings that vary by region. Common versions include cheese, spinach, or other greens.

Zeppole

A zeppole is an Italian donut or fritter that is usually baked or fried and covered with powdered sugar, and is sometimes filled with custard or cream.

Zerde

Zerde is a traditional rice pudding dessert infused with saffron that is popular in Persian, Iraqi, and Turkish cuisine.

Zereshk Polo

Zereshk Polo is a traditional Persian dish similar to a rice pilaf that is often made with rice, barberry, saffron, and chicken.

Zha Cai

Zha Cai is a mustard plant stem that is pickled with hot pepper paste added. It is popular in Chinese cuisine.

Zhajiangmian or Zha Jiang Mian

Zhajiangmian is a Chinese noodle dish topped with a savory sauce made with fermented bean paste, often with minced pork. It is commonly served with fresh vegetables such as julienned cucumber and scallions.

Zig Zag Vine Fruit

The zig zag vine fruit is a rainforest fruit. These are rarely found in the US. They are edible and some say they taste similar to orange sherbet.

Zest

Zest is the colorful outer layer of citrus peel, such as lemon, lime, or orange. It adds bright flavor to baked goods, sauces, dressings, and desserts. Use a fine grater or zester and avoid the bitter white pith underneath.

Zimtsterne

Zimtsterne are traditional German Christmas cookies that are usually made into stars and made with plenty of cinnamon. They have a base of almonds or hazelnuts and are iced with a white frosting that hardens.

Zinfandel Grapes

Zinfandel grapes are black skinned grapes that are generally used to produce wine.

Zingers

Zingers are popular snack cakes made by Hostess and Dolly Madison brands. They come in a variety of flavors including Devil's Food, Vanilla, and Raspberry.

Ziti

One of our favorite foods that start with Z, Ziti is a type of pasta that is tube shaped and often used in classic baked pasta recipes and paired with sausage, cheese, and creamy sauces. This style of pasta originated in Campania.

Zizania

Zizania is a name that often refers to wild rice. There are multiple variations such as zizania latifolia, zizania palustris, zizania aquatica, and so on.

Zongzi

Zongzi, or sticky rice dumplings, are popular in Chinese cuisine and are commonly made and eaten during the Duanwu Festival, or the Dragon Boat Festival. The sticky rice dumplings are usually stuffed with fillings, wrapped in bamboo leaves, and steamed or boiled.

Zoni (Ozoni)

Zoni, or ozoni, is a traditional Japanese soup with mochi rice cakes, commonly eaten on New Year's Day. Depending on the region, the broth may be clear and dashi-based or made with miso, with vegetables, chicken, or seafood added.

Zoodles

Zoodles is a word used to describe vegetables that have been spiralized into noodles. Zucchini was the first to be used in this manner, hence the "z". Other vegetables you can spiralize include beets, broccoli, butternut squash, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, and even onions.

Zopf

Zopf is a traditional Swiss, Austrian, and German bread that is often braided and brushed with egg yolk, egg wash, or milk, to create a golden brown crust. It is traditionally served as a Sunday breakfast food or at meals on the New Year.

Zucchini

We all know one of the most common foods that start with Z. Zucchini is a green summer squash that can be eaten raw or cooked, turned into zoodles, added to salads, stir fries, soups, and casseroles, or carved into zucchini boats and topped with meat and other goodies.

Zucchini Flowers

Zucchini flowers, also called squash blossoms, are edible flowers that can be stuffed with cheese, added to pasta, or lightly battered and fried. Handle them gently because the blossoms are delicate.

Zucchini Bread

Another way to use the versatile zucchini, there are many different ways to make zucchini bread, and most of them are delicious and the zucchini keeps it extra moist! Just a side note here...you can also make zucchini brownies.

Zuccotto

Zuccotto is a chilled, almost frozen Italian dessert cake that originated in Florence, It is usually made in the shape of a pumpkin and consists of Italian sponge cake soaked in liqueur, and a filling made of ricotta, gelato, or icing. It is often topped with icing, powdered sugar, or cocoa. Fun fact: zuccotto translates to "little pumpkin".

Zuppa Toscana

Zuppa Toscana means Tuscan soup. Traditional Tuscan soups often feature beans, vegetables, and bread, while the popular American-style Zuppa Toscana is a creamy soup with sausage, potatoes, and kale. Either makes a comforting meal in cooler weather.

Zurek

Zurek is a traditional Polish soup. It is commonly made with rye starter, smoked meats and sausage, topped with a hard boiled egg and served with fresh bread.

Zwetschgenknödel

Zwetschgenknödel are plum dumplings that are common in Germany and Romania and surrounding regions. They are usually made with plums that are cored and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, wrapped with a dough and cooked in hot water or fried.

Zwieback

Zwieback is a crisp, twice-baked bread with roots in Germany and other parts of Europe. It is often eaten as a light snack or with coffee or tea.

Zwiebelkuchen

Zwiebelkuchen is a traditional German savory onion pie or cake. It is most commonly prepared with steamed or caramelized onions, bacon, cream, and caraway seeds on a flaky pie crust and baked until golden.

Zwiebelrostbraten

Zwiebelrostbraten is an Austrian dish that consists of sliced beef topped with gravy and fried onions, and often served with potatoes or steamed rice. Sirloin steak is a great choice to use for this dish. The steak is then pounded, coated with flour on one side, and seared. The gravy is made in the same pan with the drippings from the cooked beef, then the beef is simmered in the gravy.

Zucchini Fritters

Zucchini fritters are savory patties made with shredded zucchini, eggs, and a little flour or breadcrumbs. They're typically pan-fried until golden and are a great way to use extra summer squash.

Author
Recent Posts

Heidi Deal

Heidi Deal is an editor and experienced home cook who enjoys developing approachable recipes and sharing practical cooking advice. As a mother of two, she focuses on family-friendly meals, everyday ingredients, and helpful kitchen tips that make preparing meals easier. She also enjoys experimenting with new recipes and teaching her children to cook.