Macerating zucchini in sugar creates a syrup that conjures flavors of sweet melons in this surprising dessert. Get the recipe for Zucchini Crisp »

In this recipe from Amanda Cohen, chef-owner of New York City’s Dirt Candy, tomato powder lends flavor to this savory-sweet cake, which gets topped with smoked feta cream and cherry tomato halves. Get the recipe for Tomato Cake with Smoked Feta Cream and Marinated Tomatoes »

This chilly treat is an adaptation of one served at the Royale Eatery, a burger and shake shop in Cape Town, South Africa. A simple purée of avocado, ice cream, mint leaves, and ice, it’s sweet, rich, and dense enough to stand a spoon in. Get the recipe for Avocado-Mint Shake »

Studded with chopped nuts and flavored with aromatic cardamom and rose water, this sweet Indian pudding is made from a blend of nutty ghee, milk, cream, sugar, and grated carrot. It’s equally good served either hot or cold. Get the recipe for Punjabi-Style Carrot Pudding (Gajar ka Halwa) »

Served as a breakfast dish and also for dessert, this Indian-influenced sweet pasta is fried and topped with a saffron omelette, making it crunchy, sweet, tender, and savory all at once.

Salty, bittersweet caramel meets buttery avocado in this quick treatment, perfect for dessert or as a snack served atop toast or ice cream.

Cherries and cherry tomatoes bake down together into a savory-sweet layer under a sweet biscuit topping in this recipe from chef Amanda Cohen. Get the recipe for Cherry Tomato and Cherry Cobbler »

The recipe for this egg-based sweet, which originated in a medieval Portuguese convent, comes from home cook Conceição Abilio of Evora.

Chef Steven Brown of Tilia serves these custards in egg-shells, but espresso cups work just as well. The yogurt helps to balance the sweetness of the rosemary-infused custard. Get the recipe for Bay and Rosemary Custard »

SpudnutsTo ensure these potato-based donuts turn out pillowy and soft after frying, take care not to overwork the dough. Get the recipe for Spudnuts »

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in Columbus, OH has some of the most amazing flavors around. In this recipe, the addition of roasted beets and poppy seeds lends the end product a festive hue and a bit of crunch. ‪

The two stalky vegetables are a surprising but elegant pairing atop crispy-sweet meringue

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