foreign supermarkets

We like to check out the supermarkets when we visit a new place. Familiar food items might turn out to be rare and expensive specialties. On the other hand, we find fruit and vegetables and other condiments that are new to us. How does that taste? Do you use the whole thing or just parts? Does it have to be cooked first or can it be used in a salad? Could it be used in recipes we already know?