Top Ten Veggies You'll Love To Stop Hating

Summertime is a time of grilling and fresh fruits and veggies at practically every meal. There are probably some vegetables that you thought you’d never eat that you can prepare differently and love!

The vegetables, like brussels sprouts, broccoli and beets, often go under appreciated because all anyone thinks is, "gross!", according to ABC.
 
However, if you simply change the way you prepare the veggies, you may actually find that you love brussels sprouts, no matter how slimy they are!

Many of the vegetables that are best in the summertime go untouched because people think they don’t like them OR they are just in a routine of cooking the same old broccoli or asparagus.

The great thing is, most of these “nasty” veggies can be great with a little help and they are often “super foods” and extremely good for you.

The following ten cooking techniques will turn the foods (or vegetables) that you’ve always hated into something you can’t stop eating.

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10. Brussels Sprouts

Gross, right? They are slimy and hard to choke down, even at grandma’s dinner table, however, brussels sprouts are only 38 calories per cup! Besides for being a great low calories snack, brussels sprouts also have cancer-fighting phytonutrients and tons of fiber.

Can’t get past the slimy, blandness of brussels sprouts? Try cutting them in half and spraying them with a herb infused olive oil and baking them instead of the usual boiled brussels sprouts. You won’t be able to get enough of them!



You can also make your brussels sprouts “hide” in the food that you are eating. Brussels Sprouts Mac & Cheese, for example, masks the taste of brussels sprouts.

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9. Okra

Another veggie with a slimy reputation, however, it is also another vegetable that has disease fighting antioxidants. Many people fry okra, but according to Health & Wellness, okra is great sauteed with other veggies that are in season. It’s also great roasted. You don’t have to fry it for it to be tasty!

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8. Broccoli
We all know broccoli is great for you. It is only 33 calories per cup and has a ton of vitamin C and fiber. Most people boil their broccoli to get rid of the dry taste it has when it is raw, but boiling it can make the broccoli mushy if it is overcooked. A little tip for boiling your broccoli--dip it in ice water after boiling, it’ll help the broccoli retain that crunchy taste! You can also top it with lemon juice to add a little flavor!
Broccoli is also great in casseroles, mixed with chicken or beef or even in some delicious Broccoli & Cheese Soup.

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7. Kohibrabi
Who has even heard of it? Well, you should acquaint yourself! This veggie is high in vitamin C, fiber and is naturally fat free. It is in the same veggie family as cauliflower and cabbage. Kohibrabi can be used instead of cabbage in cole slaw (a famous summer dish), but it often goes overlooked because no one knows what it is or how to prepare it. The veggie pairs well with flavors like dill or mustard.

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6. Peas
The vegetable everyone loves to hate. Most people have only had them out of a can though! Raw split peas (not in the can) have 50 grams of fiber! 50! Once they are cooked, peas still have 16 grams of fiber. Peas, like broccoli can be overcooked quickly. If you dip them in ice water, they will maintain a certain amount of crunch to make them more enjoyable.
Snap peas (peas in the pod) are also a great way to get the great taste of peas without having them rolling around your plate.

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5. Mustard greens
They don’t even sound good, but they can be delicious! If you saute mustard greens with something sweet, like dried cherries, it can offset the spicy taste that greens have naturally. Mustard greens also go well mixed in soups and even lasagna. Not only can they be extremely tasty, but mustard greens, along with other dark leafy greens, are the best when it comes to nutritional value.

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4. Spinach
Seven. Seven calories per cup, that is. Spinach is extremely low calorie and a great way to stir up the usual salad. It is also filled with nutrients that are good for keeping heart strength high. Spinach can be bitter raw, but if you add sweet things, like strawberries to your salad, it can offset the bitterness of the spinach. If you are cooking spinach, sautéing the veggie is better than boiling. Simply sprinkle a little olive oil, minced garlic and bell pepper into the pan with it and you have a veggie you can’t get enough of.

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3. Cabbage
Cabbage is another vegetable rich in cancer-fighting nutrients. There are a million ways to prepare it! Many people simply boil it, but it doesn’t have to be boring! You can incorporate it into a salad, saute it, roast it, grill it. You name it, you can prepare cabbage in that way. Try something new the next time you make cabbage.

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2. Cauliflower
Lower your cholesterol, fight your risk for cancer and get more than your daily dose of vitamin C, all with this veggie. Many people take to boiling cauliflower, which can leave it gross and bland. Instead, roasting cauliflower can give it a different, almost nutty taste.

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1. Beets
Gross! Because they are made up of a compound called geosmin which can make them taste like dirt. You have to peel your beets! Many people don’t and that is why they hate them. Once you peel the beets, roast them like potatoes or pickle them. You’ll have a whole new love of the veggie after you’ve tried that.