The Bounty of the Earth

It has come time to let you know just what vegetables I like, and the few that I love. Some of you may argue with a couple of my choices, but I have included them here, because in my head that’s what they are.

One: Onions. I adore onions. Except for the extremely sharp ones you know… the ones that NO ONE can eat. But other than those, I love onions chopped, sliced, and raw or sautéed. Delicious!

Two: Potatoes. I can eat a potato in almost any form. Mashed are the best, hands down. Of course really good steak fries run them a close second. Not to mention yummy, creamy potato salads, breakfast potatoes, funeral potatoes, pretty much anyway you slice‘em and dice’em I’ll eat’em.

Three: Garlic. I can eat garlic on anything. The prepackaged ground kind, the fresh chopped garlic, or the absolutely divine whole sautéed clove. Mmmmmm. Perhaps one of the best things that I’ve eaten in the last three months… Goat Cheese Risotto with Garlic Cloves. (A whole head of garlic!)

Four: Corn. I like creamed corn, sweet corn, corn on the cob, corn mixed in casseroles...yup. SO good and yellow!

Five: Broccoli and Carrots. I know there are two vegetables listed here, but I like them the same way for the main part. Fresh with a side of Ranch for dipping. Broccoli can also be made into soup (creamy and delicious!) or sautéed and steamed (thanks Rach!) and be SO good. Carrots I also love cooked with a delicious crock pot roast.

Six: Yellow Squash and Zucchini. Another Duo! I hardly ever eat one without the other unless I’m making Zucchini Brownies, which I hardly ever go to the effort to do. My favorite way to prepare this beautiful yellow and green duo is to slice them into little circles, sauté them with some onions until they caramelize and serve it over some slightly sticky rice. Summer goodness! Just ask Em. She’ll tell you just how good it is!

Seven: Cabbage. I’ve eaten this in many foods due to my parent’s excellent imaginative cooking, but my favorite is my dad’s Corned Beef and Cabbage. Not exactly healthy, but an excellent use of cabbage!

Eight: Cucumber. There is only ONE way I will eat this item. And that is on an open face Cucumber sandwich. That’s right, a thin slice of cucumber on a slice of French baguette with a dollop of ranch. Light and refreshing! (Again just ask Em!!)

Nine: Artichokes. Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip. Do I really need to say more?  

Ten: Spinach. A fresh spinach salad. Also see above. And spinach dips. It’s so versatile! It’s also SUCH a pretty color!

And the only thing better than shopping at the local farmer's market with friends might be the satisfaction of growing a vegetable yourself. If only I liked weeding.

There are other veggies that I eat out there…and also fruits! Perhaps I’ll dedicate a post to those later.