[jiffypop]

LOVE LOVE LOVE roasted veggies. But I'm also going to put in a word for homemade giardiniera. Never heard of it? it's those italian pickled veggies you can pick up in delis or in jars at the grocery store. HOWEVER, I don't like those premade ones - way too much vinegar, and the hot cherry peppers take over.

Since I've been making my own, there's a HUGE difference.

Here's the basics:

cut up veggies - good choices include cauliflower, carrots, celery, onions, sweet peppers, hot peppers [to your taste, and don't feel bad if you don't want them], green beans, zucchini, yellow squash. some folks add broccoli.

dump into a bowl and for every 2 quarts of veggies, mix in 1/2 c kosher salt, and toss well. fill the bowl with cool water and let sit overnight [it's cold in my house, so i let it sit in the sink - if you live in warmer climates, you should refrigerate].

next day: drain the veggies and rinse really well. right now, you can also mix in green or black olives [or both], some marinated artichoke hearts [or not].

i usually spread the veggies [minus olives/artichokes] onto a paper towel-lined sheet pan to dry.

when dry, start packing into clean jars like this:

some garlic slivers/chunks, sprinkle of oregano and basil, and some red chili flakes if you'd like them. then some veggies [fill about 1/3 of the way] then add oil and vinegar by the tablespoon. I've found that using 50% more vinegar than oil works best [so if you use 1/2 cup of oil, you'll use 3/4 cup of vinegar]

continue layering with the seasonings/garlic, veggies, oil/vinegar, pressing down each layer, until the jar is full. make sure the top veggies are covered with a layer of the dressing. refrigerate for a couple of days before using - these will keep for months in the frig.

of course, i drain the oil off before i eat these. they're great on their own, but if you add chick peas or some other protein, you'll have a nice lunch. you can also chop this up and use it on sandwiches. or rollups.

notice that there's no sugar in this. and that's the way it should be!

[Jello]

I was just poking around the 3FC boards (while I'm supposed to be working ) and stumbled on this thread. Thank you so much, you guys! I've only recently started loving my veggies and need help learning how to roast them. Can't wait for grilling season to arrive because that's where all those wonderful Brussels sprouts, broccoli florets and "cabbage steaks" will be going!

I've copied and pasted all your ideas. So thank you again!

Jo.

[johnsonGA]

I've roasted mushrooms, squash, and potatoes on the grill once. Placed oregano on it as well.

[Stripes 237]

Branch out. Buy stuff you've never tried. Cook it in a few different ways.

You like corn and you know that frozen corn that was boiled tastes different than corn on the cob and creamed corn. You know that some places make it quite oily and you know how you like that. Maybe you've had it roasted and know how that tastes.

ALL the veggies taste a little bit different depending on what you do with them. If someone doesn't like creamed corn, that doesn't mean they wouldn't like roasted corn on the cob.

You have to try them different ways. It takes time, but if you really want to get more veggies into your diet, invest some time!

Make Leek & Potato soup. See what you think. Roast some parsnip, squash and potato. Compare.

It is very likely that you'll find more veggies you like.

Baby carrots (baby anything,really) are better than regular - not carrots that are cut into shapes to look like baby carrots, lol, which are plentiful and easy to find...but real baby carrots are awesome.

Some more mature things are really good, too, like edamame.

Find recipes. Watch Alton Brown, if you get the Cooking Channel.

If you can, get a book like The Visual Food Encyclopedia - or just look up different veggies online, so you know what they are, what to look for when you buy them.

Go spend some time in the produce department.

There are SO MANY veggies and you already have some that you like. There will be more.

I was a "Corn, potatoes, green beans and carrots only" person, too, once upon a time. I tried new things and found some I really liked.