I love veggies. LOVE.THEM. I have never been one to not eat my veggies. (All of my healthy eating issues stem from the snacks I eat after my veggies LOL.) My parents tell me that when I was little, they’d serve themselves the vegetable at dinner and not give me any. Then when I’d ask, they’d tell me that those were only for adults, but that I could have some if I’d promise to eat them.
Obviously, I was a gullible child. But it worked. I like almost every vegetable now. Except beets. I’ve never met a beet I like. (And believe me, I’ve tried every way imaginable to eat them. Apparently if you say that you don’t like them, everyone will insist that their recipe makes beets awesome. No. No it does not.)
So, here are my favorite summer vegetables, most of which I can get out of my parents’ garden (even though Jones would insist that technically, some are fruits.)
1. Kohlrabi – I love this crazy vegetable. It’s a member of the same family as broccoli, cauliflower, kale and Brussels sprouts, all of which I love. It’s good raw with a dip, but my favorite way to eat it is to slice it very thinly and then cook it in coconut oil until it is soft. I usually eat an entire one at a time, so I love it when my mom grows it as they are pricy in the store.
2. Arugula – I admit I have a problem. I often eat arugula by the handful from the fridge. It’s a leafy green with a spicy flavor. It’s best used mixed with other greens in a salad, but I’ve been know to put it in sandwiches or omelets. Mad Fox Brewery had a salad on the menu for a while with it and I ate it every time we went.
3. Tomatoes – (Yeah, Jones would argue this is a fruit.) I LOVE tomatoes, but only if they are fresh from the vine. When we go home to my parents’ house every August, I literally eat them until I’m sick to my stomach. I’m also convinced that there is something about the soil in Wisconsin because Wisconsin tomatoes taste better than any other tomatoes out there.
4. Zucchini and summer squash – Yeah, I’m that girl. Whenever neighbors are trying to get rid of their plethora of squash, I’m over here waving my hand in the air. I love this in everything from quiche to stir fries to casseroles. I’ll even eat it raw with dip, but I do prefer it cooked. I was thrilled when my Hello Fresh box came with a summer squash pizza recipe!
5. Cucumber – Admittedly, my favorite way to eat these is as pickles, but we go through a lot of cucumbers in this house. Sliced with a drizzle of balsamic or in a dill salad or simply slice and eat. Mmm…
Yeah, I can’t wait to go “home” this summer. I can’t grow veggies here (too much shade), so I look forward to my annual trip to Wisconsin for my veggie fix. Somehow, buying them at the Farmer’s Market is just not the same.
[Tweet “Kohlrabi, tomatoes, and cucumbers! It’s almost time for some awesome summer produce!”]
What are your favorite veggies? Got a unique recipe for an old standby? I’m always looking for new ideas.
I’m linking up with my friends over at the DC Trifecta: Cynthia, Courtney, and Mar for the Friday Five.
And apropos of nothing, I became a Marathon Maniac last night. As you know, I qualified with my NJ and NY races through Mainly Marathons. I’m #11339, level Iridium, which is a far cry from Half Fanatic #182 LOL. Race report from New York coming soon!
I have never heard of Kohlrabi. But I like all the other members of its family so I’m sure I’d like this one.
lacey@fairytalesandfitness.com recently posted…A Peek Inside the Last Expedition Everest
Yep, it tastes very similar, just with a different texture.
Love tomatoes! I’ve never heard of Kohlrabi either, but am now curious about it. Congrats on becoming a Marathon Maniac! You are amazing!
Sherry recently posted…Friday Five: Favorite Summer Fruits
I’d say I’m crazy, but thanks. ;o)
I have tried Kohlrabi but I might have to look for that next time I am at Whole Foods. I am impressed how your family tricked you into eating healthy food! Happy Friday!
Pam recently posted…Friday Five: Mother of the bride musings
Surprisingly even Harris Teeter has kohlrabi. I buy it there when I need a “fix”.
your parents are brilliant!! I wish I read this when my boys were little.
It didn’t really work with my kids, so I think I may have just been gullible LOL.
I’ve never tried Kohlrabi but it sounds good. I do like broccoli, cauliflower, kale and Brussels sprouts so I think that I would like that too. I love tomatoes and cucumbers! I eat them all the time!
Yep, it’s a different texture, but a very similar taste to the other veggies in the same family.
I love fresh tomatoes on lettuce from the garden! And basil…
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…My other love
Tomatoes and basil are my favorite. Sadly, my shady yard grows neither.
haven’t heard of Kohlrai either! I just love summer eating. I’m with you on beets. It also annoys me when I say I don’t like something but someone insists their way will get me to change my mind. Nope. Sorry. 🙂 Have a great weekend Mama!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Friday Five: Favorite Summer Fruits & Veggies
I hear you. I’ve tried so many different ways of cooking beets… I’m just too polite to say no LOL.
I LOVE how clever your parents were! Yes for Zucchini and Squash. I love them just sautéed with onions. I too must pass on the beets. Ugh.
HoHo Runs recently posted…Running Country
Yum on the squash. Sadly, that trick didn’t work with my kids.
Love tomatoes, zucchini, and cucumbers. I could eat slices of cucumber all day long!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Friday Five – Favorite Summer Food and Recipes
My mom makes a cucumber and onion salad that I could eat all day. Love fresh summer veggies.
Kohlrabi!? That’s new to me. I love finding new veggies to try thanks
Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Summer Hair Care Tips & Giveaway
We just need to get together and cook some veggies. ;o)
Congrats on becoming a MM!! I’m a fellow Double Agent too! 🙂 It’s a huge accomplishment and a difficult one to do back to back marathons! Congrats!!
Yeah, it was kind of crazy LOL. And it was fun to wake up the next morning to my double agent number.
Kohlrabi! I love me some roasted with EVOO, salt and pepper! so good! And i may have to try your parents reverse psychology trick!
Smitha @ http://www.runningwithsdmom.com recently posted…Friday Fascinations: 5 Reasons to Shop at a Local Running
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Yay! Someone else who knows about kohlrabi LOL.
I love grilling up some squash and peppers. Also a fan of cucumbers on a salad or as cucumber salad. I’m going to have to look up Kohlrabi to try sometime. You’ve peaked my interest to at least give it a try.
John @ run. geek. run(disney) recently posted…Five Favorite Summer Produce | #FridayFive
You should try it if you like cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. If you don’t like those, you probably won’t love it.
I’m the same way–LOVE 99% of all fruits and veggies (funny, beets are one of the few veggies I also don’t like!). I also grew up with a big garden, and my earliest memories are sitting in the warm dirt in the garden and picking the beans and tomatoes off the plants and eating them.
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils recently posted…Five Things About My Greyhound
I love to eat veggies straight out of the garden. I have a black thumb and too much shade in my yard, so I’m happy to go to my mom’s house every year.
Eggplant – try the Pioneer Woman’s Baba Ghanoush recipe. I could live on that stuff. But then again, I like beets (roasted, in a green salad, with chevre and walnuts and vinaigrette – just for example), so maybe our tastebuds differ quite a bit!
I don’t cook with eggplant, but I like baba ghanoush and I like eggplant when other people cook it. My mom does a fried eggplant with very young eggplants and it is fabulous!
I’ve never tried kohlrabi, and thank you so much for giving me some pointers on how to prepare it! I’ll definitely look for one on my next shopping trip! I’m the squash girl, too; my husband is not a fan, but I don’t care. I’ll still eat it anytime I can get it, even if it means having to cook it just for myself. Hope you have an awesome weekend!!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Favorite Summer Fruits and Veggies
I make many veggies just for me LOL. My husband and kids have a much smaller number of favorites.
i’m SO w/you on beets. ugh. and welcome to mm (from mm 10316 :)). happy weekend!
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…My Favorite Fresh Summer Produce!
Thanks! It was cool to wake up the next morning to a double agent number…
I might have had kholrabi at a restaurant but I’ve never cooked with it!
Coco recently posted…My Favorite Summer Produce
It’s one of my favorites. I think I might need to find some more recipes to try…
Good call on the zucchini and summer squash, I love them saunteed with a little olive oil and salt and pepper! I’ve never had Kohlrabi, will have to look for it at the grocery store next time!
Yep, simple prep works well for zucchini and summer squash. They also go good in so many things. Quite the versatile veggie…
Mmmm!!! LOVE me some summer veggies 🙂 I do however ADORE asparagus and artichokes! And I do love me some roasted brussels sprouts with garlic and olive oil!
GiGi Eats recently posted…This Chick Gets A Makeover: Chick-Fil-A
Oh, yes, I love asparagus! No one else here is a fan though, so I don’t make it often.
Beets!! I love them! Hot with butter and salt and pepper, cold with an orange juice herb marinade, pickled, shredded. yum yum yum!! Fresh from the garden is best! I do love me some asparagus and cucumbers also
I should have tried that trick with my kids!
Christy recently posted…Three Things Thursday: Three Things I am Loving
That trick didn’t work for my kids. They have no interest in trying the “adult” foods.
Oh too bad you don’t have the beet love! But we all have our own likes and dislikes! It’s awesome you like so many veggies!
Cynthia @ You Signed Up For What?! recently posted…Five Favorite Summer Fruits and Veggies
I’ve tried, but I just don’t. They taste like dirt to me. LOL
Yum!! I love all of these except the Kohlrabi which i have never tried, guess I just found a new veggie to try 😉
Amber@Eat2SaveYourLife recently posted…Get Your Kids Excited About Healthy Eating | Kids Corner
If you like cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, you’ll like it. Different texture, but same flavor “family”.
Lol @ veggies being only for adults! I can’t wait for our tomatoes and the zucchini from the farmer’s market.
Cassi recently posted…Color Dash Recap and a Giveaway
I had to laugh at the beet comment. When I was a kid my mom would buy Aunt Nellie’s Harvard Beets and I loved them. Then I tried to eat them as an adult and they tasted like sweet’n’sour dirt. As for tomatoes, the best ones are grown in Arlington! My dad used to grow a garden in our back yard and we would spend days out back eating sun-warmed tomatoes, peas, sweet banana peppers, and just about every other veggie you can think of!
Pegi Hoffman recently posted…Memorial Day 2015
Your parents were geniuses to do that! What a great way to get a child to eat veggies!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Much Of The Enjoyment Is In The Anticipation
I’ve never tried kohlrabi before, and I’m definitely curious since I love broccoli and cauliflower… as for the arugula, I couldn’t help but smirk because while I like it my husband hates it. And I mean hate with a capital H.
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