Besides linguini or liquor, it’s challenging to think of foods that start with “L.” This article has you covered. From the simple to the controversial, here are some great foods we could think of that begin with “L” and where to find them.
Table of Contents
Lahana Sarmasi
Lahana Sarmasi is stuffed cabbage leaves. These are a favorite in Turkey, southeastern Europe, and the middle east. Traditional Lahana Sarmasi uses beef as the filling, but chicken, vegetables, and fish are standard, too. Outside of the Muslim world, pork is a good filling, as well. The stuffed cabbage rolls served with a tomato sauce give the dish a sweet and savory flavor. This dish is simple to make at home as most of the ingredients are available at local supermarkets, and various recipes are available online.
Laksa
Laksa is a beloved noodle dish in Southeast Asia. It’s a spicy noodle soup made with spices and vegetables cooked into a paste and a coconut broth. Chicken is the traditional protein used in Laksa, but beef and tofu are proper substitutes as well. Chefs can make the paste at home with the right recipe or buy it at a supermarket or local Asian market. Laksa is a simple dish to make worldwide, so there’s no reason not to try making it!
Lalangas
Lalangas is a Turkish delicacy. It is a pastry made with milk, flour, eggs, and yogurt. While they may look like pancakes, lalangas are enjoyed in the same manner as cookies. Many Turkish people have them as part of their breakfast, as snacks with tea, or as the dessert portion of the meal. This recipe is simple to recreate at home with easily available ingredients and needing a standard kitchen setup. They’re great for parties and entertaining, especially for children, who will enjoy their sweet flavor.
Lamb
The humble lamb is a beloved protein across the world. It’s more tender than beef but with many of the same flavor profiles. Lamb roasts are standard when enjoying this protein, but its versatility shines in stews, ground for hamburgers and sausages, and in meat pies. Lamb pairs well in marinades and wines, making it a great meat to soak up sauces. Grilling or barbecuing lamb are excellent options, and it is the primary choice for the grill in many countries. Mongolia is the county that eats the most lamb per capita, and some of the best lamb recipes come from there. It’s easy to overcook lamb, but it is still a fantastic choice for those looking to enjoy a hearty meal.
Lasagna
Lasagna remains one of the most popular pasta variations from Italy. The structure of lasagna makes it similar to pie or casserole instead of standard pasta. Tomato, garlic, onions, and beef with a cheese topping go into a traditional lasagna, but other variations exist. Eggplants are an excellent choice for vegetarians and are also popular within Italian cuisine. You can make homemade lasagna noodles with a few staples from the baking aisle of your supermarket or choose premade lasagna noodles from the pasta aisle. Either way, it’s easy to make fresh and delicious lasagna at home.
Latte
The latte is a world-famous drink enjoyed by millions daily. A traditional latte is made with espresso coffee and steamed milk, with the foam from the milk a sometimes canvas for creating artwork on top of the drink. Lattes originated in Italy, as latte is Italian for “milk,” but are available in any coffee shop. With how simple it is to make lattes at home, it’s simple to make this satisfying drink at the start of your day or for your afternoon pick-me-up. Lattes are versatile, as any form of milk, such as soy milk, almond milk, and others, can be used to make them.
Lard
Lard is a forgotten fat in the eyes of many, but it is still widely used among many chefs and connoisseurs. Lard is rendered pork fat, and it is used in cooking similar to how butter is. Lard’s popularity fell in the face of vegetable oils which are reported to be healthier than lard. Many chefs still use lard for several different uses, such as cooking oil or as part of a filling for sausages, pies, and stuffing that call for a heartier flavor. China is the leading producer of lard globally, and many Chinese food recipes call for lard in the face of other oils. Lard can be found at any butcher’s shop, supermarket, or Asian specialty store. Try lard today and see what flavors it has to offer.
Latkes
Latkes are a favorite food among the Jewish community and are enjoyed in many countries with a sizeable Jewish population. While many see and characterize latkes as simply “potato pancakes,” that definition is only valid visually. Traditional Latkes are not a sweet food. They are a salty and savory dish made with potatoes, onions, and spices amalgamated together in a hash brown-like manner. As such, latkes make excellent breakfast foods that pair well with eggs outside of their traditional use. The ingredients of latkes are simple to find in any supermarket worldwide and are simple to make at home with a standard kitchen setup.
Leeks
The humble leeks refer to a family of vegetables that are the green cousins to onions. They are a fragrant vegetable that offers the same taste as onions without the bitterness once cooked. Leeks can be consumed raw but lack flavor in this way. Leeks are commonly a garnish, a replacement for onions in a typical dish, or part of a soup or stew and are found worldwide in supermarkets and farmer’s markets. They belong in simple soup recipes and world-class dishes alike, so there’s no going wrong with picking leeks as the vegetable in your next meal.
Lekvar
Lekvar is a Hungarian plum butter. It is one of the most popular jams made in Hungary, and it is considered a delicacy in that country. Some lekvar recipes use fresh fruit, while other unique ones use dried fruits, such as prunes instead of plums. Lekvar appears in fruit desserts, as part of a breakfast meal, or in pastries. Lekvar is simple to make at home, as plums or apricots, sugar, and some water are all that’s needed to create a delicious and straightforward lekvar. Adventurous eaters may try to go for the dried variants of the fruits to get an authentic taste of Hungary.
Lemons
Lemons are one of the world’s most renowned and beloved fruits featured in everything from desserts, salads, salsas, garnishes, and drinks. Lemonade remains one of the most consumed drinks worldwide, thanks to this iconic fruit. Lemon is also considered one of the healthiest foods for the common cold because of its high vitamin C count. Due to their popularity and versatility, lemons are available in just about every supermarket and farmer’s market worldwide. There are as many uses for lemons as there are fans of lemons, so you should go out and find your favorite lemon recipe.
Lentils
In India, lentils are a staple part of the nation’s cuisine. The simple legume makes an appearance in many great dishes combined with sauces, broths, and as side dishes for protein dishes. Lentils are smaller beans with a slight bitterness to them instead of the standard black and pinto beans. Many great lentil recipes include lentil soup, lentils with rice or flatbread, or with flatbreads. Due to their high protein, lentils are a popular choice for vegetarians looking to supplement their diet with more protein. Lentils can be purchased in supermarkets and farmer’s markets worldwide and are an inexpensive option that’s simple to make at home.
Licorice
Licorice is a beloved confectionery in the United States and the United Kingdom. Its name comes from the licorice plant, whose roots are used to create the candy. Licorice candies are popular throughout the world but are most prominent in the United States, Canada, The United Kingdom, and Scandinavian nations. When prepared into a candy, licorice is sweet, chewy, and causes the mouth to salivate. Red licorice is a popular form of the tasty treat. It is treated with other flavors to add variety or as a preference to those who may find the strong taste of licorice undesirable. Licorice is widely available wherever candy or confectionaries are sold but can also be made at home with simple ingredients.
Lima Beans
The large Lima bean looks intimidating at first, but it is one of the most beloved beans in Southern American cuisine. Lima beans are especially loved in Peru, where the bean is named after the nation’s capital. Lima beans are different from other beans because they do not have their stronger flavored cousins’ buttery taste and consistency. Lima beans are grown and enjoyed in many parts of the world, with their primary place of growth being the Americas. These fantastic beans are best enjoyed in the same manner as other beans, such as in stews, as accompaniments to protein dishes, over rice, and many other recipes. Lima beans are available to purchase in many supermarkets and farmer’s markets worldwide, making them accessible and affordable to all who seek them out.
Limes
The green cousin of the lemon makes it on this list due to its unique flavor profile. What makes lemons different from limes is the more sour flavor of the lime, which makes it perfect for a more robust flavor than its milder cousin. Some famous dishes that incorporate limes include key lime pie, ceviche, and garnishes for cocktails and beers. Limes have a similar vitamin C count to lemons, making them great for those looking for a boost to their immune system. Limes and lemons work well together in drinks, as well, as their flavors complement each other to create a complete and refreshing taste in water or club soda.
Loaves
Loaves represent a category of food that resembles bread. Many loaves are bread, but not all loaves are bread. Some loaves are desserts, such as nut loaves or fruit loaves like banana nut loaves, blueberry loaves, and others. There are savory loaves, too, such as meatloaves and olive loaves. Meatloaf is a popular dish in the United States made from ground beef and vegetables. The olive loaf is a cold cut of pork with bits of olives and pimentos spread through the meat. Whether it’s baking bread or making a meal, loaves are as versatile as they are delicious.
Loganberries
Loganberries are a mix of raspberries and blackberries in a single plant. They originated in California and have since then taken the western United States by storm. They have the same uses as their parent berries, making them excellent for jams, jellies, desserts, wines, smoothies, and shakes or enjoying them fresh. Loganberries grow in the western part of the United States and Canada’s British Columbia. They’re unavailable elsewhere, so travelers looking to visit these parts of the world would do well to try the loganberry while they’re there.
Longan
The longan fruit is a relative of the lychee fruit but with a drier flavor profile. It originated in Southern China and Myanmar. The longan fruit has a long history of use in cooking and medicine in both countries. The fruit is grown in several countries worldwide. East Asia has the most considerable amount of longan fruits, and the United States has the most significant amount outside of East Asia. It is enjoyed fresh, as part of soups, jams, desserts, and as a sweetener.
Liederkranz Cheese
Liederkranz cheese originated in the United States. It is commonly referred to as “America’s Limburger Cheese” due to the strong fragrance and taste of the cheese having similarities with Limburger but being milder in comparison. Liederkranz cheese is enjoyed the same way as Limburger like a delicatessen cheese served with grapes, wine, crackers, or toasted bread. Liederkranz cheese is also a popular choice for sandwiches in the United States. Wisconsin is famous for cheese production and produces more Liederkranz cheese than anywhere else in the United States, making it the best place to travel to for this cheese.
Limburger Cheese
Limburger cheese is a famous German cheese enjoyed in nations such as Belgium and Switzerland. The strong fragrance and flavor profile of Limburger make it a divisive cheese for many and has made the cheese the focus of many jokes. Limburger cheese is enjoyed in sandwiches, as a delicatessen cheese, and in fondues. Outside of Europe, Limburger cheese remains popular in the United States, especially those with Belgian, Swiss, or German ancestry. This cheese is not for the faint of heart or palate, but it is a cheese worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime.
Linguica
Linguica is Portuguese pork sausages smoked with paprika and garlic. The sausage is famous in Portugal and Brazil, and it is typical to see it used as the protein component of a dish in these regions. Feijoada with Linguica is a familiar and beloved dish in these countries. It is also treated as a traditional sausage, as it can be served with eggs and toast to make a classic breakfast. Outside of these uses, Linguica is a typical pizza topping in Portugal and Brazil, similar to the more well-known pepperoni. Variations of Linguica exist within these nations and in nations with large concentrations of immigrants from these countries, making Linguica a diverse food available in several parts of the world.
Liver
Animal liver is among the most widely consumed animal parts. Several delicacies come from livers, such as France’s foie gras, made from goose liver and pate, made from pork or chicken livers. The liver is also used as one of the main ingredients in Liver and Onions, a simple dish incorporating ingredients and spices. Tuna ankimo and salmon ankimo are also famous dishes made from the livers of the respective fish. Livers have a rich flavor no matter which animal they come from, so it’s worth trying out as many variations as possible. Livers are an inexpensive part of traditional livestock animals and are sold worldwide.
Lobster
Lobsters remain one of the most sought-after shellfish in the world and are prevalent in New England. Lobster tails are served throughout the United States as the “surf” part of the “surf and turf” meals, incorporating lobster tails and steaks. Within New England, lobster boils use the shellfish in savory broths alongside garlic, corn, and cream to create a unique flavor profile. Lobster rolls are a famous sandwich in these regions, placing freshly boiled lobster in sandwich rolls with lemon, butter, and mayonnaise. Outside of the United States, countries like France, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Australia all have famous Lobster dishes waiting to be enjoyed.
Lox
Lox is a typical dish in Jewish cuisine and is enjoyed wherever a sizeable Jewish population exists. Lox is brined salmon that is sometimes smoked. In New York City, Lox is served on bagels with cream cheese and capers. Lox variations exist throughout Scandinavia, the United States, and Canada, where salmon is found and enjoyed. Lox is traditionally made from salmon, but other fish such as herring, sturgeon, and whitefish can be prepared to achieve the same results. Lox platters can also be served with fresh vegetables and fruits, such as bell peppers, tomatoes, pickled cucumbers, and olives.
Lupin Beans
Lupin beans are pickled beans that are a favorite in the Mediterranean and Latin America. The taste of lupin beans depends on how long they’ve been pickled. The less the beans are pickled, the sweeter they’ll taste. The more they’re pickled, the more bitter flavor they’ll have. Lupin beans are bar food in these regions, and they’re best paired with beer. It’s best to enjoy Lupin beans in moderation to prevent alkaloid poisoning. A professional should always prepare lupin beans because improper preparation of the beans can lead to severe poisoning. That shouldn’t discourage the adventurous eater from trying these beans and enjoying them in moderation, much like alcohol.
Lutefisk
Lutefisk remains one of the most controversial in the world due to its preparation. Lutefisk is dried whitefish pickled in lye, a toxic substance. After pickling for days, the fish is removed and washed down in cold water for days afterward before being prepared to eat. Lutefisk is from Norway, and it has since spread to other Scandinavian nations and places where people have Scandinavian heritage. Lutefisk has a strong flavor which is an acquired taste for many. Lye is a dangerous substance, so it’s not recommended to make Lutefisk at home unless aided by an experienced lutefisk preparer.
Lychees
Lychees remain one of the world’s most loved fruits. They come from China and Southeast Asia and are a staple fruit for many in the region. Lychees have spread worldwide as fruits, jams, and as part of dessert recipes. They are popular as snacks or desserts. The most popular way to eat lychees is to enjoy them fresh, but they can be incorporated into any recipe that has fruits due to their sweet flavor. Most supermarkets or Asian specialty markets sell whole lychees or jars with syrup.
Conclusions
Now that you’ve read about these fantastic foods that start with “L,” the next step is to go out and try them or make them yourself. While some of these foods will require travel, sometimes the best adventure of traveling to a new place is enjoying the food you eat when you’re there. Of course, cooking a new recipe or trying new food that’s local can also be an adventure itself and will put a smile on your loved ones’ faces. Keep an open mind and an empty stomach when trying these fantastic foods that begin with the letter “L.”