When you love to cook, moving to a country where you don’t speak the language can turn what used to be a simple trip to the grocery store into utter agony. Even after a year, many hundreds of hours of Spanish lessons and daily trips to the mercado, I still do a lot of pointing and asking, “¿Qué es esto?“.

The fact that different Spanish-speaking countries have different names for the same items also complicates things in my brain. You think you’re shopping for aguacates and fresas? Oh noooo, my friend, those are paltas and frutillas in castellano rioplatense. So for any new arrivals or those who are just starting to venture out to the verdulerias, here’s a list of some of the most common fruits, vegetables and herbs you may be attempting to purchase and their corresponding names in the region. For a complete list of kitchen and cooking terminology, check out NOLA Chef’s Kitchen Dictionary.

FRUITS, VEGETABLES & HERBS IN  ENGLISH & SPANISH / FRUTAS, VEGETALES & HIERBAS EN INGLÉS Y CASTELLANO

apple: la manzana

artichoke: el alcaucil

arugula: la rúcula

asparagus: los espárragos

avocado: la palta

banana: la banana

basil: la albahaca

bay leaves: las hojas de laurel

beans: las chauchas

beets: las remolachas

blueberry: el arándano

bok choy: el bok choy

broccoli: el brócoli

brussels sprouts: los repollitos de bruselas

cabbage: el repollo

cabbage (Napa): el repollo japonés

capers: las alcaparras

carrots: la zanahoria

cauliflower: la coliflor

celery: el apio

cherry: la cereza

chickpeas: los garbanzos

cilantro: el cilantro

coconut: el coco

corn: el choclo

cucumber: el pepino

dates: los dátiles

eggplant: la berenjena

endive: la endivia

fig: el higo

garlic: el ajo

ginger: el jengibre

grapefruit: el pomelo

grapes: las uvas

kiwi: el kiwi

leek: el puerro

lemon: el limón

lentils: las lentejas

lettuce: la lechuga

lime: la lima

mango: el mango

mint: la menta

mushrooms: los champiñones, los hongos

onion: la cebolla

onion (red): la cebolla morada

orange: la naranja

orange (mandarine): la mandarina

oregano: el orégano

parsley: el perejil

passion fruit: la maracuyá

peach: el durazno

pear: la pera

peas: las arvejas

pepper (bell varieties: green, red, yellow): el morrón (verde, rojo, amarillo)

pineapple: el ananá

plantain: el plátano

plum: la ciruela

pomegranate: la granada

potato: la papa

pumpkin: la calabaza (also means squash)

prune: la ciruela pasa

radish: el rábano

raspberry: la frambuesa

rosemary: el romero

rhubarb: el ruibarbo

sage: la salvia

shallots: los chalotes

spinach: la espinaca

squash: la calabaza (also means pumpkin)

strawberry: la frutilla

sweet potato: la batata

thyme: el tomillo

tomato (normal): el tomate redondo

tomato (Roma or plum): el tomate perita

tomato (cherry or grape): el tomate cherry

turnip: el nabo

watermelon: la sandía

zucchini (round): zapallito redondo

Okay, what am I missing? What am I saying wrong while the friendly verduleros just humor me? Where did I get the artículos incorrect? Your additions, suggestions and corrections are invited and welcome. Happy healthy shopping!