Overview:
As an overweight teenager, vegetables are not appealing to me. Vegetables are not advertised in a way that make teens and kids interested in eating them. Therefore, most kids and teens do not eat them, especially overweight teens. Vegetables were always seen as an obstacle for me at dinner and they were never enjoyed. Although I feel like this about most vegetables, there are a few that stick out to me. They are: Broccoli, Carrots, Peas, Collard greens and Sweet Potatoes. I don’t really like raw vegetables, but when they are cooked with things like butter or garlic, these vegetables become some of the tastiest foods for the day.
Broccoli:
So, let’s start with broccoli, my favorite right now. When I was younger I never really liked it, and here is why: First off, broccoli is shaped like a tree, which in my opinion is no shape for any food. Second, I didn’t like the taste of it when it was raw. I always wanted to spit it out when I ate raw broccoli; it tasted disgusting. But I was introduced to a new kind of broccoli, and it is so good. This broccoli is steamed in garlic and butter. Not only does steaming it make it softer, but the garlic and butter give it a whole lot more flavor. This elevates it completely and broccoli prepared this way makes it my favorite vegetable.
Carrots:
I have always had a love/hate relationship with carrots. At certain times I thought they were good and at other times I did not. The reason why I do not think they are always good is their taste. The taste is so weird sometimes that I just want to spit them out. However, like broccoli, two added extras will totally elevate the plain carrots. The first is quite simple. It’s just to dip them in Ranch dressing. It is amazing. The crunchiness of the carrot and the flavorful ranch makes a perfect vegetable snack. The second way I prefer carrots is cooked with honey glaze; it is so good. In this case, it completely takes away the flavor of the carrot and replaces it with this smooth honey glaze flavor that melts in your mouth. You are still eating a vegetable and it is a great side for any meal.
Peas:
At first, peas to me, were the same as broccoli. Why would I want to eat green-shaped pebbles that have a weird, raw taste? Before I move on, I just want to reemphasize the statement that peas are shaped like little pebbles. How unappealing is that to kid’s, right off the bat? However, just like broccoli and carrots, peas are very good if they are cooked and have butter on them. When I first tried them like that, I did not really care for them. But over time I began to like them more and more and I used to eat a lot of them. One time my brother and I had a competition to see who could eat the most peas since we both liked them at the time. Peas are a great side to any meal if they are cooked properly.
Collard Greens:
Collard greens have always been my favorite vegetable throughout my lifetime. Ever since I tried them in a Portuguese restaurant, I have liked them. The appearance reminds me of spinach, and I do not like that. However, the taste is different and the way it blends in with all Portuguese food amazes me. Collard greens are not a common vegetable (at least not here in the United States). However, if you go to a Portuguese restaurant, be sure to try these delicious greens.
Sweet Potatoes:
Sweet potatoes are very complicated in my life. I do not love them, but if I make a few adjustments to them, it changes everything. First off, I hate the taste of a regular sweet potato and I always have, but with some small adjustments they become quite good. I like my sweet potatoes warm and soft, not hard. Once the sweet potatoes are soft and warm, I put butter and sour cream on them. This completely changes the taste and makes it a creamy, semi-sweet vegetable. Also sometimes, I add butter and cinnamon, which gives it a good flavor. No matter what you add, it will completely change your perspective on the sweet potato.
