There's a whole host of ingredients out there that many may dismiss as waste, weeds or just plain wacky. But with a little know-how, these unexpected items can be transformed into delicious dishes. From watermelon rinds and crab shells to dandelions and nettles, we've compiled the ultimate list of unusual things you might want to start adding to your diet – counting down to the most surprising potential foodstuff of all.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover 29 'foods' you probably didn't realize you can eat. Have you tried any of them before?

We've based our ranking on how these foods are usually viewed (and general awareness of their edibility), as well as the opinions of our well-traveled (and well-fed) team. This list is unavoidably subjective.

Surprising things that are actually edible