Sugar and spice and everything nice, that’s what foods that start with N are made of. Explore the culinary wonders that are foods that start with N, like nachos, Nutella, and New York-style pizza. Need I say more?

We have listed several foods beginning with N. There are 27 in this list from fruit to vegetables to dessert. How many N foods can you name without looking?

1. Nachos

Nachos are a regional dish from northern Mexico. They can be as simple as tortilla chips covered in melted cheese or as extravagant as chips smothered in chili, sour cream, guacamole, and olives. The dish was created by Ignacio “El Nacho” Anaya at the Victory Club when he served a version of the dish with fried pieces of corn tortilla chips, melted Colby cheese, and pickled jalapeno strips. In the United States, National Nacho Day is celebrated on November 6^th. Celebrate nachos any day of the year with these air fryer nachos.

2. Noodles

Is there anything more comforting than a noodle? Whether it’s smothered in cheese, cooked in broth, or just salted with a little butter, noodles are as versatile as they are delicious. Officially, noodles are a type of food made from unleavened dough which is rolled flat and cut, stretched or extruded, into long strips. They are typically cooked in boiling water but can also be fried. There are different types of noodles including wheat, buckwheat, egg, and rice. Noodles are a staple food in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Italy. Celebrate your inner child with these simple buttered noodles.

3. Nectar

Nectar is a sugary liquid produced by plants. It attracts many creatures including mosquitoes, bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bats. Nectar is the main sugar source for honey. The word nectar is taken from the Greek word nektar. Nek, means death, and tar, means the ability to overcome, which explains why Nectar is a fabled drink of eternal life. What gives me life? Sinking my teeth into a sweet dessert made using a fruity nectar like this apricot nectar cake or these peach custard nectar bars.

4. Nuts

Nuts are dry, edible fruits and seeds. They typically have a high fat content and are a valued source of nutrients for humans and animals. Nuts can be consumed in a variety of ways including raw, roasted, mixed with oil to make a nut butter, or included as part of sweet or savory dishes. Try these cinnamon apple nut blondies for a twist on a classic dessert.

5. Neufchatel Cheese

In American grocery stores, you can find blocks of Neufchatel cheese right next to blocks of cream cheese. Neufchatel didn’t start off that way. Originally it is a French cheese named after a town of the same name. The French cheese is an unripened cheese, made with raw cow’s milk. When the cheese was replicated in America, it ended up being similar to cream cheese. The fat content is what sets Neufchatel and cream cheese apart. With the former having a fat content of around 23% and the latter having a fat content of around 33%. Add some zip to your next fruit tray with this cream cheese fruit dip.

6. Napa Cabbage

In spite of what its name implies, Napa cabbage is not a California-based cabbage with a penchant for a nice Cabernet. Instead it is a Chinese cabbage used widely in East Asian cuisine. The name “napa” actually comes from a regional Japanese dialect, where nappa refers to the leaves of any vegetable, especially when used as food. Napa cabbage is a sign of prosperity in China. Kimchi is fermented napa cabbage. The vegetable is rich in vitamin C and has a fair amount of calcium.

7. Naan

Naan is an oven-baked flatbread that is popular in Western Asia, India, the Caribbean, Myanmar, and Indonesia. The bread is pita like and usually leavened with yeast.

8. Naval Orange

Navel oranges are a popular orange for human consumption. They have thicker skins making them easy to peel, they are less juicy, and their bitterness makes them less than ideal for making juice. In the United States, they are available from November to April, with a peak season from January to March. Additional varieties of navel oranges include Cara Cara, Bahia, Dream, Late, and Washington. If you’re trying to drink more water, try this tasty orange, grape, basil detox water for a fun twist.

9. Navy Beans

Oh navy beans, perhaps you remember their chance at stardom as part of Adam Sandler’s song “Lunch lady Land”, or maybe you just remember them for the multitude of times you have likely consumed them. This white bean is clearly not named for its color. It is instead named because the US Navy has served the beans as a staple to its sailors since the mid-1800s.  The navy bean is a dry white bean that is smaller than many other types of white beans, and has an oval, slightly flat shape. It is popular in dishes like baked beans and bean soups.

10. Nutmeg

Nutmeg is the spice made by grinding the seed of the fragrant nutmeg tree into powder. It has a warm slightly sweet taste and can be used in sweet as well as savory dishes. If you consume nutmeg powder in amounts above what is typically used as a spice, it can cause contact dermatitis, allergic reactions, or psychoactive effects. Caution around pets, the scent may attract pets, but it can be poisonous to them if they consume too much.

11. Nectarine

A nectarine is a smooth-skinned peach. They have red, yellow, or white flesh and are a source of vitamins A and C. They are commonly eaten fresh or cooked for preserves, jams, and pies. You can use them in place of peaches in recipes like this peach cream pie.

12. Nutella

This chocolate hazelnut spread has an almost cult like following. It is made of primarily sugar and palm oil. Nutella is manufactured by Ferrero, an Italian company, and was first introduced in 1964. Nutella can be enjoyed many ways. It is a popular breakfast item used to top toast, pancakes, and waffles, in a crepe, in a donut, by itself with a spoon, and more.

13. Napoleon

The napoleon dessert has nothing to do with the famous French military leader. The napoleon dessert is made of flaky layers of pastry layered with custard cream and icing. The word napoleon translates into “thousand leaves” and refers to the layers of pastry. The original name was napolitain, or in English, a neapolitan – meaning a sweet treat in the style of Naples. In France the dessert is known as a mille-feuille and sometimes called a millefoglie in Italy.

14. Nori

Nori is a type of dried edible seaweed used in Japanese cuisine. It is made from a type of red algae and has a strong and distinctive flavor. It is often used to wrap rolls of sushi or rice balls. You may also find it as a garnish or flavoring in soups and noodle dishes. Nori contains toxic metals so make sure not to eat high amounts daily. It can also cause an allergic reaction in those with a crustacean allergy.

15. Nougat

Having been born and raised in the United States, when I think of nougat, I think of the creamy filling inside of the 3 Musketeers bars I would eat as a child. Nougat, however, is so much more depending on where you are on the globe. Nougat refers to a family of sweets made with sugar or honey, roasted nuts, whipped egg whites, and sometimes chopped candied fruit. There are three basic nougats. The first being white or Persian nougat and is made with beaten egg whites and honey. The second is brown nougat and is made without egg whites. The third is Viennese or German nougat which is a chocolate and nut variation, typically hazelnuts are used.

16. Nonpareil

Nonpareil is the fancy name for the sprinkles that look like tiny balls. They are made with sugar and starch and can jazz up a multitude of baked goods and ice cream sundaes. Nonpareil may also refer to another type of confection that is a flat disc of chocolate covered in the sprinkle nonpareils. These little sugary splashes of color make a fun addition to many dishes including this funfetti cheesecake.

17. Neapolitan Ice Cream

Neapolitan ice cream has three separate flavors arranged side by side in one container. The usual flavors are strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate. These likely became the standard because they were the most popular flavors in the United States at the time of introduction. The dessert is named after its presumed beginnings in Naples and the three blocks of color are representative of the Italian flag.

18. Norman Tart

The Norman or Normandy tart is a very specific type of shortcrust pastry. It is filled with apples, sliced almonds and sugar, topped with creamy egg custard and baked until slightly caramelized.

19.  Nocciole

Nocciole is the Italian word for hazelnut. Hazelnuts are used in baking and desserts. They can often be found paired with chocolate like in the aforementioned Nutella. Nocciole are rich in protein, fat, and vitamin E.

20. Nuggets

Nuggets are pop-able, portable, delicious pieces of fried or baked chicken…or vegetarian substitute. Chicken nuggets were invented in the 1950s and have since become a highly popular fast food and frozen food option. Pair your nuggets with this copycat Chick-Fil-A Polynesian sauce.

21. Nance Fruit

The Nance fruit hails from the Caribbean and Central and Latin America. It looks similar in shape to a cherry but is yellow-orange in color. The flavor can range from sweet to acidic. The nance fruit can be eaten raw, juiced, or used in desserts. This tropical fruit is rich in vitamin C, dietary fiber, and other vitamins and minerals. It can be good for your digestive health, reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, and support healthy skin.

22. New York Style Pizza

Another food on this list coming to us from Italy. New York-style pizza is a large hand-tossed thin crust pizza. It’s usually sold in slices big enough to fold and eat on the go. The crust dough is made with high-gluten bread flour and the New York City tap water which help give it its distinguishing texture and flavor. A whole pizza typically ranges from between 18 and 24 inches. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go schedule a flight to New York City.

23. Newburg Sauce

Newburg sauce is a rich, creamy sauce made with butter, cream, egg yolks, sherry, and seasonings. It is most popularly served over shellfish. It was invented by a sea captain and first served at Delmonico’s Restaurant in New York City.

24. Nantua Sauce

Nantua sauce is named for the city of Nantua, which is known for its crayfish. It makes sense then that this sauce is made with a Bechamel sauce base, cream, crayfish butter, and crayfish tails. The sauce is usually served with quenelles, which are a mixture of creamed meat or fish combined with breadcrumbs and binded by eggs.

25. Nasi Goreng

Nasi goreng is Indonesia’s version of fried rice. It is different from other Asian fried rice recipes by its earthy and smoky flavor, and the taste is stronger and spicier compared to Chinese fried rice. Nasi goreng is often eaten for breakfast as a way to use up leftover rice and meat from the previous night’s dinner. Some consider this the national dish of Indonesia.

26. Nashi Pear

Nashi pears are a fruit that is common in Easy Asia. Did you know that ‘Nashi’ is the Japanese word for pear? Nashi pears are round in shape, similar to an apple.

27. Nigella Seeds

Nigella seeds are small, black seeds used as a spice. They have a taste similar to oregano. They are great added to sauces, salads and more.

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