Traveling around the world has given me an opportunity to sample all manner of cuisines. Obviously, I have loved some over others. If you are like me, you will not pass a chance to try something new.
In this article, I have come up with a list of foods that start with G from all over the world.
Read on to find out their origins and other details about each. If any appeals to you, why not go ahead and try it? You never know; you might just end up with a new favorite!
What are Some Foods that Start with G?
- Gouda Cheese
- Gnocchi
- Goulash
- Gumbo
- Gazpacho
- Gorgonzola
- Granola
- Giardiniera
- Guacamole
- Grits
1. Gouda Cheese – Netherlands
Gouda is one of the most popular foods that start with G, I mean, I’m talking about cheese! It can be both intense and mild. It all depends on its age. It is named after Gouda city in South Holland, not because it was made there but because the city was the designated marketing center.
Gouda cheese traces its origin back to the 12th century, making it one of the oldest cheeses in the world that have stood the test of time.
Usually, it is made from cow’s milk but goat’s milk gouda is also common. Like wine, Gouda cheese becomes better with age.
You can have it fresh, melted into other foods such as burgers and omelets, or grated to garnish your food. If you insist on getting the original Gouda from Northern Holland, check that it is Noord-Hollandse Gouda when buying from your local store.
2. Gnocchi – Italy
Do you like ordering Italian? You can save some money by learning how to make gnocchi.
This is an Italian dish made of soft dough dumplings. It’s thought to have originated from the Middle East as a variant of pasta. In Roman times, the dish was made from semolina pudding mixed with eggs.
The modern version is made using potatoes. Known as potato gnocchi, it involves mixing mashed potatoes with eggs and flour to make a dough. Just like dumplings, the dough is rolled and cut into small pieces before being boiled in salted water.
At this point, your gnocchi is done, but you can go a step further (like a pro!) and heat the balls in melted butter and herbs until golden brown.
3. Goulash – Hungary
In Hungary, Goulash is a national dish and a symbol of the nation. Very few foods make it to the status of the national symbol. This makes Goulash a special one among foods that start with G
The dish originated in 9th century Hungary and was invented by shepherds. Their recipe was pretty basic; it involved cooked flavored meat that was sun-dried and packed in bags fashioned from sheep’s stomachs (beef are mostly used now).
The Goulash of today is spicier with red paprika (ground capsicum) being a permanent ingredient. Beef usually made up the original dish but nowadays, pork, poultry, rabbit, and even game meat can be made into Goulash.
Forget about the sheep intestines to make the dish. All you need is tender meat simmered in onions and tomatoes and seasoned with paprika. Goulash is definitely one of my favorite foods!
4. Gumbo – United States of America
Gumbo is another delicious dish on this list; foods that start with the letter G. It happens to be the official cuisine of the state of Louisiana, US. The dish and its name are a representation of the racial diversity in the state.
Apparently, food can be a great uniting factor; the dish was invented in the early 18th century when French, Germans, Spanish, Italians, and Africans found themselves sharing a home in southern Louisiana.
It is made using meat combined with what Louisianans call the “the Holy Trinity” of veggies; celery, onions and bell pepper. For the broth, a strongly-flavored bone soup with a thickener does great.
You can also customize your Gumbo by trying different types of meats such as shrimp, oysters, rabbit, chicken, shellfish, duck, and even squirrel.
5. Gazpacho – Spain
Gazpacho is a classic Spanish dish made of raw vegetables that are blended and served cold. The dish originated from southern Spain but has now spread all over the world.
The version served today can be traced back to the 19th century when tomatoes became a common ingredient. The old form of Gazpacho was made of bread, water, olive oil, garlic, and vinegar. The recipe was introduced by ancient Romans.
Today, Gazpacho is made using white bread, cucumber, garlic, red onions, bell pepper, lime, and tomatoes. You can also add some ice cubes to cool the soup more.
According to celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, the soup is best served with toasted bread brushed with olive oil. For taste, the toasts are to be seasoned with pepper and salt.
6. Gorgonzola – Italy
Gorgonzola is another dish in a long list of Italian foods that start with G. This is a blue cheese that resembles porcelain and is made from unskimmed and pasteurized cow’s milk.
It is produced in millions of wheels every year. Primarily from the Piedmont and Lombardy regions in Italy. Even though, the dish originated from the Gorgonzola town in Lombardy.
This centuries-old dish is protected by the European Union, meaning that it must meet certain standards to pass as “Gorgonzola Cheese”. That said, it has remained relatively unchanged in terms of preparation and serving.
You will probably not be making this cheese from your kitchen due to the fact that genuine gorgonzola takes at least 50 days to mature. So, you should maybe place an order the next time you visit an Italian eatery.
7. Granola – United States of America
You are probably used to getting your granola from a box, right? With the right ingredients and a little know-how, you can prepare this breakfast cereal at the comfort of your home.
This snack was invented in 1863 under the brand name Granula, in New York, US. In Australia, New Zealand and lots of places around Europe, it is known as muesli. Originally, it was made from whole grain, but other ingredients, such as dried fruits have been added with time.
Basically, all you need to make granola is oats, some oil, a sweetener, salt, vanilla extract, and nuts. You can also add some dried fruit for a different taste.
Next, mix all the ingredients and bake for 10 minutes in an oven at 3000 F. Lastly, let it cool to room temperature and just like that, your granola is ready.
Recipe:
https://cookieandkate.com/healthy-granola-recipe/
8. Giardiniera – United States of America
Giardiniera is a relish made of pickled veggies that are preserved in vinegar or vegetable oil. The recipe originated in Italy but today, it is an iconic dish in Chicago, US.
It’s also known as “sottaceti” in Italy or “hot mix” in the US. Depending on your preference, Giardiniera can be eaten as a first course or as a small salad with the main meal.
The original version is made from bell peppers, carrots, cauliflower, celery, and cucumber. These are marinated in vinegar or oil that has been enriched with herbs and spices.
When Giardiniera made in the Chicago style, it is categorized as hot or mild. ‘Hot’ is made with serrano pepper while ‘mild’ is made without. Usually, this variety is marinated in vegetable oils such as olive and soybean oil, instead of vinegar.
9. Guacamole – Mexico
Guacamole is an avocado-based salad that traces its origin to Mexico. Avocados were first grown in the region about 10,000 years ago and have since spread to most parts of the globe.
I know right now the price of avocados is at an all-time high, but believe me, every penny you spend on this dish is totally worth it. Also, guacamole is one of the simplest dishes to make among foods that start with the letter G.
The fruit is packed with plenty of fiber, carbs, vitamins, and healthy fats. As such it is a wholesome fruit and once made into a salad, it can be added to almost any meal.
To prepare, just mash and mix avocados with raw onions, coriander, lime, garlic, tomatoes, pepper, and salt. You can serve the salad at room temperature or chilled.
10. Grits – United States of America
Grits is a word used to describe a variety of maize-based porridges. The food is common in most places in the world where maize or corn is grown. For centuries grits have been a common dish and one of the most basic food in most cultures.
The dish is thought to have originated in the 16th century from Native Americans. Originally, dried maize would be ground on smoothened stones to make a coarse flour.
This breakfast meal can be yellow or white; it all depends on the color of the maize/corn used.
To prepare, add a cup of ground cornmeal or maize flour to about four cups of boiling water and let it simmer for 30-45 minutes. To make the dish more nutritious, you can substitute the water with milk. You can also add sugar and butter.
Final Thoughts
You have no reason to be tied down by boring food options; not when there are so many to choose from. Whether you are touring the world or just treating yourself right at home, you are spoilt for choice.
Regardless of the origins of these foods, many of them have carved a spot in the global cuisine and all you need is to identify the dish that you want, and you can have it wherever you are.
If you love to cook, go ahead and learn to make some of these foods that start with G, and your dining table will never be the same again.
Read More:
https://www.mapthememories.com/10-amazing-foods-that-start-with-f/
https://www.mapthememories.com/10-amazing-foods-that-start-with-e/
https://www.mapthememories.com/7-amazing-foods-that-start-with-d/
