The old cliche is, of course, that kids hate to eat their vegetables. I was never That Kid. I loved--and still do love--vegetables. I am a fan of The Vegetable. As a matter of fact, I cannot think of a single vegetable that I will not eat. (Oh sure, if it's just a damned bad representation of it, like those horrid grey mushy canned peas instead of what Peas Should Be--round, green orbs of Springtime-- then yes, I suppose you can argue that there is, in fact a vegetable that I will not eat. But then you would be Really Annoying, so stop it.)I do, however, have some favorites. In no particular order, here are my
Top 7 Vegetables
1. Asparagus
2. Corn (on the Cob)
3. Broccoli
4. Squash
5. Pea pods/Sugar Snap Peas
6. Mushrooms
7. Garden Tomatoes
Right away, I know I'm going to hear about at least two of these because Asparagus and Broccoli are in the "Love Them/Hate Them" category. No one is tepid about those two vegetables. And I am completely smitten with them both. Nothing is better than fresh Asparagus drizzled with terrific olive oil, sprinkled with sea salt and cracked black pepper, and grilled. We have it all summer long. Broccoli? I can eat it every day, and I don't need to drape some distracting cheese sauce over it, either. Feh.
Squash might be another iffy proposition. I hate to see summer end, but autumn is worth it mainly for two things here in Ohio, apple season and squash season. Screw the pretty trees. Big effing deal. Bring on the cider and the squash. Makes it almost okay that Tomatoes and Sweet Corn are done with. Was there anything more delightful than wandering out to your garden, picking a sun-warmed Tomato, taking it inside and slicing it thick onto a sandwich? Or just biting into it right then and there in your little spot of earth? And Corn on the Cob--normally, I don't like to (A) eat with my face directly in my food, or (B) have to work that hard at it, but Corn on the Cob makes it okay and worth it. Why isn't corn OFF the cob the same? Still good, but not quite as good.
Regular Peas are good, but I am all about those Sugar Snap Peas in their little briefcases. Raw, especially. They're addictive. I grab a bag of those and it's fifty-fifty as to whether any will make it to dinner. And Pea Pods are the first things I fish out of my Chinese vegetables when we get carryout. They're incredible. (And sometimes, they squeak companionably when you bite them.) Finally, probably Mushrooms are an odd item to include, I know. It's not like they're something that gets scooped onto a plate like a mound of peas or corn, but I love them. I find it one of the great Tragedies Of Food that they are rather pricey. And I am mystified by that fact. After all, those things grow overnight. In the dark. How hard can it be, you know?
So, Stuff readers, what about your faves?
8 comments:
1. brocolli- no cheese
2. tomatoes
3. asparagus
4. carrots - preferably cooked, but still al dente.
5. cauliflower - no cheese
tomatoes almost went to 1 because of their versatility.
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jpd
Jared--I had no idea that you had such a fondness for carrots. Where had you been hiding this? And now that I've had time to really THINK more about my list, I realize that I left off LIMA BEANS. Sigh. But...which veg. would I have left off...? And you know how gassy they make me. And where are RED PEPPERS on your list?
I'm fairly apathetic towards broccoli, actually. I hated it as a kid, but I've forced myself to eat it so much lately that I'm sort of desensitized. I enjoy any vegetable more, though, when I try to think about and appreciate where it came from.
1. Tomatoes
2. Asparagus
3. Peas--preferably sugar snap peas
4. Green beans
5. Collard greens
1. Tomatoes
2. Asparagus
3. Corn on the Cob
4. Broccoli
5. A mix of roasted vegetables
I've never been a big veggie person, but these are the ones I'll actually seek out. And I know I'm cheating with number five, but sometimes that's the best. The other day I went to a restaurant and had something close to this, and it was just marvelous.
Mikey--#4 is a cheat, yes, but I do love caponata, whether it's been whizzed up as a spread or if it is,as you said, just a lovely mix of caramelized roasted veg. I am a huge fan of eggplant, too, but roasted, not breaded and fried like it is so often done.
Tiana--I love soul food greens when they are prepared that way, but am NOT a fan of spinach or Swiss chard. I don't have the patience to Fix Greens, though, so we don't have them unless we get them at a restaurant or someone's home.
1. A salad with all different mixed greens and other delightful items: tomatoes, cucumbers, green onion, green peppers, celery, mushrooms, shredded carrots, and freshly-made Ranch dressing on the side. I realize it's also a "combo" item, but one of my favorites, nonetheless.
2. Lightly steamed asparagus tossed with butter and a tiny touch of garlic.
3. Corn on the cob, roasted on the grill in its husk, with butter and salt and pepper (and a toothpick).
4. Oven-roasted diced red potatoes drizzled with olive oil and a dash of rosemary.
5. Fresh snappy green beans, raw or steamed.
Love the veggie kingdom. Yum!
Life--Oh, I am ALL ABOUT potatoes. If I were to pick ONE FOOD to live with for the rest of my life, the potato would be it. I just don't consider it a vegetable, I guess, because growing up, my mom followed the rule of Meat, Veg, Starch, Salad for every single dinner. Potato never counted as a Veg., but a Starch. But those potatoes...MMMMM. And red are the best. Have you ever had the variety called Klondike Rose? They are a cross of a red and a Yukon Gold. Sheer Paradise.
Haven't had the Klondike Rose, but will now look out for them--sounds exquisite. I too am a BIG potato fan. Other favorite is a big fresh Idaho Russet, baked, with salt, pepper, butter and seven pounds of sour cream. Heart attack on a plate, but OH MY GOD.
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