New Vegetables

nurseamysweeney

Okay so I have explanded my fruits to some tropical ones like dragonfruit and start fruit.... but vegetables, I want a change..what do artichoke hearts taste like and how do you prepare them? Anyone know? Any other veggies that are unique and different that you like??

sweettthings

Artichoke hearts usually come brined, like olives. They are milder tasting than an olive though. I use them in salads and sometimes in pasta dishes.

Swiss Chard is one that I've come to enjoy over the past couple years. Trim the stems away from the leaves, but don't discard. I boil/steam the stems for 12 mins. and the leaves for 4-6 mins, then drain the water and saute with garlic and olive oil until most of the moisture is out of them. That is one of my family's favorite dishes. The stems can even be used as a pasta substitute, if you cut them into strips.

Whenever I see something new at the grocery store or farmers market, I'll buy a little and experiment. It doesn't always work out, but it keeps dinners interesting, lol.