24 Vegetables That Start With P (Facts and Pictures)

As a self-proclaimed vegetable aficionado, I am always on the lookout for new and exciting veggies to incorporate into my meals. Today, I am thrilled to share with you a full list of vegetables that start with P.

Whether it’s vibrant peas, versatile peppers or even voluptuous pumpkins, all these vegetables offer a plethora of flavors and nutritional benefits.

So, let’s embark on this palatable journey and explore the names of vegetables that possess the powerful prowess of the letter P.

Palatable Vegetables That Start With P

Pak choi

Also known as Chinese cabbage or more popularly, bok choy, this leafy green vegetable beginning with P is commonly used in Asian cuisine. It has a whitish bulbous bottom with a cluster of green leaves above it.

Flavour wise, this Chinese vegetable is mild and it has a crisp texture making it an excellent addition to stir-fries and soups.

The botanical name of bok choy is Brassica rapa subsp. Chinensis.

If you’d like to know more about this P vegetable, specifically how to replace it in recipes, check out my article on pak choi substitutes!

Parsley

Parsley is a herb that’s commonly used as a garnish, adding a burst of freshness to any and every dish it’s included in.

The leaves of this herbaceous plant can be added to salads, soups and sauces for an extra touch of flavour and is a good source of a variety of nutrients.

It’s known as Petroselinum crispum botanically.

Besides its more well-known uses, parsley also features in my list of celery substitutes and can even add some interesting flavor notes as a basil replacement.

Parsnips

Parsnips are a kind of cream-colored starchy root vegetables that bear loads of resemblance to their orange cousins, the carrots. They have a spicy but sweet flavor with a hint of earthiness and nuttiness.

Although they’re often overlooked and underappreciated, they are super versatile veggies that can be roasted, mashed or even used in soups.

Rich in vitamin C, parsnips are known scientifically as Pastinaca sativa.

Pattypan squash

The pattypan squash is a small, flattened pumpkin and a variety of summer squash. It’s a versatile veggie that can be steamed, roasted or even stuffed to bring out its delicate flavor and tender texture, making it a wonderful addition to a variety of recipes.

It is scientifically known as Cucurbita pepo.

Pea eggplant

Pea eggplants are a variety of very small eggplants that are slightly bigger than the size of a pea. These tiny, round eggplants are commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine and are green in colour.

They have a slightly bitter taste and are often added to curries, stir-fries, and pickles. Pea eggplants are known as Solanum torvum scientifically.

Pea shoots

As the tender young leaves and tendrils of pea plants, pea shoots are green vegetables starting with P. They’re safe for human consumption and offer a delicate and slightly sweet taste.

It’s light, fresh tasting and nutritious meaning they make the perfect addition to different foods like salads and stir-fries, adding a refreshing touch.

Peas

Peas are green small ball-shaped vegetables that are usually contained in a pod. They grow better in cooler climates and are part of the leguminous family of crops.

Peas are packed with all kinds of essential vitamins, minerals and even fibre and belong in the same family as french beans.

They’re usually enjoyed as a side dish or as healthy additions to many kinds of cuisines like salads and stir-fries. Scientifically, they’re known as Pisum sativum.

Pepper squash

More popularly known as the acorn squash, the pepper squash is a variety of the summer squash that’s shaped like a bell pepper and has a mild, delicate flavor.

Its flavour is mild and somewhat sweet and can be sautéed, grilled, or used in casseroles and stir-fries as well as other savory dishes.

Scientifically, this vegetable starting with P is known as Cucurbita pepo var. turbinata.

Pepper

Peppers, or Capsicum, are a special kind of fruit that are considered culinary vegetables. They’re a group of vibrant colored berries with their flavors varying with each different species from sweet and mild to hot and spicy.

They’re used to add colour and heat to all kinds of cuisines and are grown all around the world.

Pepperoncini

Also known as Tuscan peppers, pepperoncini are super small and mild peppers with tangy flavor that are commonly used in Italian cuisine.

They have a mild heat and are often pickled or used to add a zesty kick to sandwiches and salads.

They’re scientifically known as Capsicum annuum ‘Friggitello’.

Pigeon peas

Pigeon peas are small round members of the legume family contained in pods and popular amongst cuisines in tropical regions of the world, where their plants thrive. They have a nutty taste while their texture is somewhat crispy.

Scientifically, pigeon peas are known as Cajanus Cajan.

Pimentos

These small red peppers are also known as cherry peppers for their round, heart shape. They are mild and sweet chili peppers and are more aromatic than spicy, hence they’re used to enhance the flavor of dishes and not to add heat to them.

The scientific name of pimento is Capsicum annuum.

Pinto beans

Pinto beans are a staple in Mexican and Southwestern American cuisine eaten in a multitude of ways. They have a creamy texture and a nutty flavor, making them a great addition to soups, stews, and chili.

The pinto bean is a healthy source of protein and fibre and is known botanically as Phaseolus vulgaris Pinto Group.

Portobello mushrooms

Botanically classified as a fungus, portobello mushrooms serve the role as vegetables in the kitchen. They’re super hearty mushrooms popular amongst vegetarians.

Portobello mushrooms are usually grilled, sauteed or stuffed with filling to create a unique baked dish.

They’re scientifically known as Agaricus bisporus.

Portulaca

Also known as the common purslane plant, portulaca is a small edible leafy green vegetable that starts with P and offers a fresh, slightly salty and sour taste with hints of lemon.

It can be used in salads, stir-fries, or even enjoyed on its own as a nutritious snack. Botanically, this leafy green veggie is known as Portulaca oleracea.

Potato

One of the most popular and widely cultivated tubers worldwide, potatoes are a kind of root veggie and starchy food that’s native to the American continent.

They’re popular for their nutritional value and versatility as they can be baked, boiled, fried, mashed and even roasted to create all kinds of dishes.

Potato is a good source of fiber and vitamins, their scientific name is Solanum tuberosum.

Prickly pear

Prickly pear is a delicious plant that belongs to the cactus family that bears fruits. They have prickly spines so great care has to be taken during their harvest.

Both the pads and fruits are edible and while the pods are popular in Mexican cuisine.

The fruit can be peeled to reveal a sweet and juicy flesh that is commonly used in jams, jellies, and beverages. The scientific name of this fruit is Opuntia humifusa.

Pumpkin

The pumpkin (also known as the winter squash) is a large round fruit that’s considered a culinary vegetable, just like peppers are.

They have immense cultural, aesthetic, and culinary significance in the region they’re native to (the United States and other parts of North America) and are a symbol of the early winter months season.

Pumpkin flowers are the plant part that appear before the pumpkin fruit and not only serve for their ornamental value but also for their culinary use as well. If you’re looking for some yellow foods that start with P, this one is a unique find!

The fresh fruits can be cooked in a variety of ways, have edible seeds and the scientific name, Curcubita pepo.

Purple asparagus

Just like purple potatoes and red cabbage, the purple asparagus gets its unique hue from a pigment.

This vibrant-colored asparagus adds a touch of elegance to any dish and has a flavour that’s slightly more pronounced than it’s green counterpart.

Its tender spears can be steamed, grilled, or roasted to enhance their delicate flavor. The botanical name of this veggie is Asparagus officinalis.

Purple cabbage

Known for its uniquely dark hue, the purple cabbage is also known as the red cabbage. This leaf vegetable with P is a member of the cabbage family and is rounded with leaves that are tightly wound and somewhat waxy to the touch.

Tastewise, it’s fresh with a much spicier flavor than cabbage with green color. Scientifically, it’s known as Brassica oleracea var. capitata F. rubra.

Purple carrots

While carrots are typically orange, purple carrots offer a vibrant twist. These cultivars get their color from the same pigment present in blueberries and other purple veggies on this list which offers antioxidant properties.

Daucus carota subsp. sativus is their scientific name.

Purple kohlrabi

With its vibrant purple color and crisp texture, purple kohlrabi adds a delightful crunch to salads and slaws.

It tastes more or less exactly like green kohlrabi (subtly sweet but nutty and spicy with a texture similar to broccoli stalks) and even looks exactly like it once peeled to reveal its white flesh.

One of the most overlooked leaf vegetables, it’s known botanically as Brassica oleracea Gongylodes group.

Purple potatoes

Rich in the same pigment blueberries are, purple potatoes are vibrant-hued potatoes are visually striking and contain beneficial antioxidants.

They’re a great source of a variety of nutrients including vitamins A and dietary fiber, they can be boiled, mashed, or roasted to showcase their unique color and flavor.

Botanically, purple potatoes are known as Solanum tuberosum.

Purple sweet potatoes

The purple sweet potato is basically a purple-colored sweet potato. They have a sweet flavor with a somewhat creamy texture when cooked and can be prepared in right about the same ways the white and orange sweet potatoes can be.

The scientific name of this tuber is Ipomoea batatas.

This compilation of 24 vegetables that begin with P showcases the diversity and deliciousness found in the world of produce. These veggies offer an array of flavors, textures, and nutritional benefits.

So, the next time you’re at the grocery store or planning your meals, don’t forget to explore the wonderful realm of vegetables that start with the letter P.

And, if you’d like to know more about edibles that start with the letter P, have a look at these fruits that begin with letter P as well as these foods that start with P.

I’ve also created separate posts dedicated to vegetables beginning with the letter U and vegetables starting with R.

Happy cooking and bon appétit!