Apples, oranges, broccoli and carrots may all be good for you (they are!), but if these are your only go-to fruits and veggies, you may be missing out on discovering the tastes, textures, and health benefits of lesser known gems in the produce aisle.

Tickle your taste buds and give in to your fascination with food by getting to know mangosteen, pluots and fennel. Read more about them here, and then try them at home with quick and easy meal ideas.

Mangosteen
I love these pretty fruit as part of a centerpiece. They look almost too good to eat with their round, red to dark purple shells. But below their sturdy shells, you might be surprised to find delicate segments of snow-white juicy flesh. Inside, it looks a little like a tangerine. Tomi thinks it tastes more like a perfect balance of sweet and sour citrus, peach and exotic flavors.

Basic prep and storage: To open, make a shallow cut around the circumference or equator of the fruit, avoiding cutting into the soft interior and then the fruit can be twisted open along the cut. Store in the refrigerator.

Meal & snack ideas and 2 more hidden gems at FreshDirect’s myFD blog.