105 Amazing Foods That Start With P You Should Try

Did you know that there are over 3000 known varieties of pears worldwide?

This fascinating diversity extends beyond pears to many other foods that start with the letter “P,” each with unique flavors and uses.

From the staple pizza and pasta to the exotic pawpaw and persimmon, our list of foods beginning with “P” will take you on a culinary journey through common and uncommon treats.

Whether you’re a food enthusiast eager to explore new tastes or looking for culinary inspiration, there’s something here to spark your interest.

So, dive in and discover the rich array of foods that start with “P”—you might find some new favorites!

15 Most Common Foods Starting with P

1. Pizza

Pizza is a beloved global dish made from yeast-based dough topped with sauce, cheese, and various other ingredients and baked.

• Origin: Originated in Naples, Italy, in the late 18th century.
• Culinary Pairings: Commonly paired with toppings such as pepperoni, vegetables, and cheeses.
• Nutritional Information: This can vary but is generally high in calories, carbohydrates, and fats.
• Cultural Significance: Symbolic of Italian culinary influence and a staple in American culture.
• Interesting Facts: October is National Pizza Month in the United States.

2. Pasta

Pasta is a staple of traditional Italian cuisine, with the first reference to it dating back to 1154 in Sicily.

• Origin: Made its way to Italy from the Arab world during the Middle Ages.
• Culinary Pairings: Typically served with a variety of sauces like marinara, Alfredo, and pesto.
• Nutritional Information: It is high in carbohydrates and, depending on the dish, can also be high in protein and fiber.
• Cultural Significance: A fundamental component of Italian food and culture.
• Interesting Facts: There are over 600 different shapes of pasta.

3. Potatoes

Potatoes are starchy tubers, one of the world’s most widely used vegetables.

• Origin: Native to the Andes Mountains of South America.
• Culinary Pairings: Versatile in cooking, paired with butter, cheese, and any meat.
• Nutritional Information: High in carbohydrates and provide dietary fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.
• Cultural Significance: Introduced to Europe in the 16th century, they have become integral to many national cuisines.
• Interesting Facts: Potatoes were the first vegetable grown in space.

4. Peanuts

Peanuts, despite their name, are not nuts but legumes that grow underground.

• Origin: Native to South America and were domesticated around 1500 B.C.
• Culinary Pairings: Often used in peanut butter, desserts, and savory dishes like satay.
• Nutritional Information: Rich in protein, fat, and various healthy nutrients.
• Cultural Significance: A staple in American snacks and meals, particularly peanut butter.
• Interesting Facts: Peanuts account for two-thirds of all nut consumption in the U.S.

5. Pork

Pork is the culinary name for meat derived from domestic pigs.

• Origin: Domestication of pigs for food dates back to 5000 B.C. in China.
• Culinary Pairings: Commonly paired with flavors like apple, sage, and mustard.
• Nutritional Information: High in protein and rich in several important vitamins and minerals.
• Cultural Significance: Widely consumed across many cultures worldwide, except in regions where it’s forbidden.
• Interesting Facts: China is the largest producer and consumer of pork globally.

6. Peas

Peas are small seeds that come from the pods produced by the Pisum sativum plant.

• Origin: Native to the Mediterranean Basin and the Near East.
• Culinary Pairings: Often paired with carrots and potatoes and added to rice dishes.
• Nutritional Information: High in fiber, protein, vitamins A, K, and C.
• Cultural Significance: They have been a staple food in many cultures due to their nutritional value.
• Interesting Facts: Peas were among the first vegetables to be frozen, preserving their quality.

7. Peppers

Peppers, including bell peppers and chili peppers, are members of the capsicum family and can be sweet or very hot.

• Origin: Domesticated in Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America.
• Culinary Pairings: Used in dishes worldwide, from Mexican salsas to Indian curries.
• Nutritional Information: High in vitamins C and A, especially high in these nutrients when red.
• Cultural Significance: Integral to cuisines around the globe, used for both flavor and color.
• Interesting Facts: The Scoville scale measures the spiciness of peppers.

8. Pineapple

Pineapple is a tropical fruit known for its intense sweetness and tart flavor.

• Origin: Native to South America, particularly the region between Brazil and Paraguay.
• Culinary Pairings: Often paired with ham and coconut and used in tropical drinks like pina colada.
• Nutritional Information: Rich in vitamins C and B1, dietary fiber, and manganese.
• Cultural Significance: Symbol of hospitality in early America.
• Interesting Facts: Pineapple plants can produce only one pineapple at a time.

9. Pomegranate

Pomegranate is a fruit containing red seeds, known for its sweet and tart flavor.

• Origin: Originally from the region of modern-day Iran and northern India.
• Culinary Pairings: Used in salad, juices and can be cooked down into sauces.
• Nutritional Information: High in fiber, vitamins C and K, and high in antioxidants.
• Cultural Significance: Symbolizes prosperity and abundance in many cultures.
• Interesting Facts: Pomegranates are one of the oldest known fruits and are often featured in ancient mythology.

10. Pancakes

Pancakes are flat cakes made from a starch-based batter and cooked on a hot surface.

• Origin: Archaeological evidence suggests that pancakes were probably the earliest and most widespread cereal food eaten in prehistoric societies.
• Culinary Pairings: Commonly served with syrup, butter, and fruits.
• Nutritional Information: High in carbohydrates and, with toppings, can be high in sugar.
• Cultural Significance: Associated with the Christian observance of Shrove Tuesday, known as Pancake Day.
• Interesting Facts: The world’s largest pancake was over 49 feet in diameter.

11. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a cultivar of a squash plant and is round with smooth, slightly ribbed skin, and deep yellow to orange coloration.

• Origin: Native to North America.
• Culinary Pairings: Used in pies, soups, and as a roasted vegetable.
• Nutritional Information: High in vitamin A, fiber, and low in calories.
• Cultural Significance: A symbol of fall, especially in the United States associated with Halloween and Thanksgiving.
• Interesting Facts: The tradition of pumpkin carving originated with the Celts.

12. Pudding

Pudding can refer to a dessert or a savory dish made from milk, sugar, and a thickening agent such as eggs.

• Origin: The word pudding is believed to come from the French word “boudin,” originally from the Latin “botellus,” which means “small sausage,” referring to encased meats used in Medieval European puddings.
• Culinary Pairings: Dessert puddings are often eaten with cream or custard, whereas savory puddings are paired with meat dishes.
• Nutritional Information: Varies widely depending on the type.
• Cultural Significance: In the UK, “pudding” can refer to desserts generally or more specific traditional dishes like Christmas pudding.
• Interesting Facts: In the UK and some Commonwealth countries, “pudding” can also refer to savory dishes such as Yorkshire pudding.

13. Pie

Pie is a baked dish which is usually made of a pastry dough casing that covers or completely contains a filling of various sweet or savory ingredients.

• Origin: Pies have been traced back to ancient Egyptians who made a crude form of the pastry.
• Culinary Pairings: Sweet pies may be filled with fruit (apple pie, cherry pie), nuts (pecan pie), or with sweeter vegetable fillings such as sweet potato. Savory pies may be filled with meat (chicken pot pie, shepherd’s pie).
• Nutritional Information: Nutritional value varies widely based on ingredients.
• Cultural Significance: An important part of many cultures’ cuisine, especially significant in American, British, and Australian cuisines.
• Interesting Facts: The saying “as easy as pie” is an American expression from the 1890s.

14. Popcorn

Popcorn is a type of corn kernel which expands and puffs up when heated; a popular snack food.

• Origin: Popcorn originated from the Americas where it has been consumed for over 6000 years.
• Culinary Pairings: Often paired with butter and salt, but can also be coated with various flavorings such as cheese, caramel, or chocolate.
• Nutritional Information: Low in calories by volume, high in fiber, but the nutritional profile can change significantly with the addition of oils, butter, and sugar.
• Cultural Significance: A popular snack at movie theaters and sporting events in many countries, especially in the United States.
• Interesting Facts: Popcorn became popular during the Great Depression because it was relatively cheap.

15. Pears

Pears are mild, sweet fruits with a fibrous center. They are grown worldwide, particularly in temperate climates.

• Origin: Pears are native to coastal and mildly temperate regions of Europe, North Africa, and Asia.
• Culinary Pairings: It is commonly paired with cheeses such as blue cheese and camembert and is excellent when poached in wine or baked in tarts.
• Nutritional Information: A good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and some antioxidants.
• Cultural Significance: Historically, pears have been appreciated for their medicinal properties as much as for their taste.
• Interesting Facts: There are over 3000 known varieties of pears worldwide.

90 Additional Foods Starting with P

16. Papaya
17. Parmesan
18. Parsley
19. Parsnips
20. Passion Fruit
21. Pastrami
22. Pâté
23. Peach
24. Peanut Butter
25. Pecans
26. Penne
27. Pepperoni
28. Persimmon
29. Pesto
30. Pickles
31. Pico de Gallo
32. Pilaf
33. Pine Nuts
34. Pinto Beans
35. Pistachios
36. Plantains
37. Plum
38. Polenta
39. Pomegranate Juice
40. Pomelo
41. Poppy Seeds
42. Porridge
43. Portobello Mushrooms
44. Potato Chips
45. Praline
46. Prunes
47. Provolone
48. Prune Juice
49. Prosciutto
50. Pulled Pork
51. Pumpkin Seeds
52. Pumpkin Pie
53. Punch
54. Pupusas
55. Paella
56. Paneer
57. Panettone
58. Pangasius
59. Panini
60. Panna Cotta
61. Paprika
62. Parfait
63. Parker House Rolls
64. Partridge
65. Passionfruit Juice
66. Pavlova
67. Pawpaw
68. Peanut Sauce
69. Pearled Barley
70. Pea Soup
71. Peking Duck
72. Pepper Steak
73. Perch
74. Perogies
75. Persimmon Pudding
76. Pho
77. Picadillo
78. Picante Sauce
79. Pichuberry
80. Pickled Cabbage
81. Pickled Onions
82. Pie Crust
83. Pigeon Peas
84. Pike
85. Pimento Cheese
86. Pina Colada
87. Pineapple Cake
88. Pineapple Upside Down Cake
89. Pink Salmon
90. Pirozhki
91. Pistachio Ice Cream
92. Pizza Rolls
93. Plaice
94. Plantain Chips
95. Plum Sauce
96. Plum Tomatoes
97. Poached Eggs
98. Pollock
99. Ponzu Sauce
100. Poppy Seed Cake
101. Pork Belly
102. Pork Chops
103. Portuguese Custard Tarts
104. Pot Roast
105. Potato Salad

Summing Up

In conclusion, our exploration of foods starting with the letter “P” has covered a diverse range:

• Staples and Classics: Pizza, pasta, and potatoes offer comfort and familiarity.
• Exotic Flavors: Discover less common delights such as pawpaw and persimmon.
• Nutritional Variety: There’s nutritional value for everyone, from protein-rich peanuts to vitamin-packed pears.
• Global Cuisine: Each item on the list represents flavors from different cultures and cuisines, showcasing the international diversity of food.

Ready to expand your culinary horizons? Use this list as your starting point to try new recipes or add exciting twists to familiar dishes.

Dive deeper into each food, experiment with new combinations, and enhance your meals. What new “P” food will you explore first in your kitchen?