Thursday, July 12, 2007

Food I Avoid

Eggplant ParmesanI’m a pretty adventurous eater, I’m relatively easy to please (ahem, pasta anyone?) and I love to eat so it was tough coming up with a list of things I don’t like. Most things on this list I’d be able to get down in a pinch--say if I was being threatened with a gun or a dirty diaper--I’d just rather not eat at all rather than have to eat these tidbits.

1. Eggplant. Though I’d try eggplant if it looked appetizing enough (is it possible?) My only memory of it is when my mom attempted eggplant parmesan when I was a child and even she admitted it was a dismal failure (you know it’s bad when the cook walks away). I’ve never had the guts to try fixing it though I suppose it’s time to get past the memories and give it a whirl.

2. Three Musketeers Bars. YUCK! For being something as wonderful as chocolate they really messed this one up. I can’t remember the last time I ate one of these things and I could go the rest of mortality without a bite. Oh and I’m going to stick Cadburry Eggs in here too—the kind that simulate a raw egg? I will not eat them Sam I Am.

3. Canned vegetables. In any variety. Period. My grandparents eat them but I was raised on frozen or fresh veggies and canned vegetables are scary to me. So what do I do? I go and marry a Juice-Slurping Crazy. And that includes those cuter-than-ever baby ears of corn you see at the salad bar. They’re cute but don’t let that fool you they taste like soggy cardboard dipped in vinegar. The only exception to my fear would be tomatoes, artichoke hearts, legumes or olives.

4. Chili peppers. I can tolerate mild chilies but anything past the weakest jalepeno sends me into waves of heat stroke. I’m a total whimp when it comes to hot food and even when the waitress assures me it’s mild I have my doubts as to it’s palatability. Andrew, on the other hand, after his years among the Tejanos, loves it hot and spicy and we have to have dual bottles of salsa around here--one mild for me, a one hot for him.

5. Polenta. Just tastes bland and mushy to me, I think it’s more about the texture than the taste. Anyone out there have a killer polenta recipe guaranteed to turn me from the Dark Side?

6. Captain Crunch. One of Andrew’s favorites. Me? Not so much. Not even with Crunch Berries, though that does improve things a bit. But honestly, worst cereal ever? Kashi Go-Lean at Costco. I never throw out good food but one bite and that box was in the dumpster.

7. Fresh figs. I have a hard time with the texture and the grittiness. Plus, my sister in law (the biology teacher) once told me that each fig has the carcass of a bug inside leftover from its pollination. I’ve never looked at figs quite the same since though I can eat dried ones alright.

8. Persimmons.
They look so pretty but taste so. . . so . . . bleh. Only had one once though, maybe it was a bad batch. Do persimmons have good batches?

9. Bananas. Don’t like them, never have, though our shaky relationship has soured even further with age (mine and theirs). I’ll eat banana bread and banana splits (put enough sugar in something and it’s palatable) but not fresh bananas a la carte. Oh, but I will slurp down a bottle of baby food bananas straight from the jar if given the chance--those are tast-y! When Andrew clerked for Judge Souter he witnessed how the judge ate bananas only when they were so ripe they’d blackened and liquefied. Then he’d stick a straw inside the peel and slurp out the guts. Like a spider with its prey. YUCK! Talk about your Fear Factor.

10. Raw tomatoes. By themselves that is. I’ll eat them on hamburgers and tacos and love them but to bite into a slice of raw tomato is decidedly unpleasant. One time I was visiting my grandmother in southern Idaho and she’d picked up these giant luscious-looking beef steak tomatoes. They were so beautiful I thought, “Surely something so pretty tastes good” and I gave it another go. Nope, they still tasted yucky, what a disappointment.

Dame Edna11. Sushi. You’d think it’s the raw aspect that upsets me so--and don't get me wrong it truly is hideously terrifying to me--but it’s the nori, or seaweed, that takes the cake. Somehow a whole nation of people have grown to love it so you’d think it couldn't be that bad but then the same thing could be said of Dame Edna and I can’t see what the appeal is there either.

12. Grape-flavored ANYTHING. Real grapes—yum—fake grape flavoring sends me into dry heaves. Goes back to a fluoride treatment I had as a kid (remember when they filled trays with gooky gummy stuff and then let it sit on your teeth while you gagged for fifteen minutes?) I ordered mine in grape, got sick to my stomach and it’s Goodbye to Grape Nehis ever since. I’m getting the willies just thinking about it.

13. Anything that is served alive, wriggling, or with its head still attached. This shouldn’t really count as an item because I’m sure there are plenty of things in the world that I’d hate but that I just haven’t tried (hello haggis, lutefisk, tripe, chitterlings, head cheese, blood pudding . . . ). The 12 previous items are all things I’ve sampled but I don’t know that I’ve ever eaten anything that falls into this category though I’m adding it nonetheless. I like most every vegetable and fruit, carb and sugar but with meats I’m much more jittery. After hearing the tales my brothers brought back from living in Asia I know I’d fake a seafood allergy before I could eat a raw octopus (he discovered too late that one doesn’t eat the ink sack) or minnows swimming in soy sauce. And if I had to I’d fake a heart attack.


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Jamie J said...

I'm so there with you on the sushi, eggplant and tomatoes (and most everything else too), but 3 Musketeers Bars?? Really?? That is candy bar heaven right there...

Journeywoman said...

While I agree with you on 13, and I'm allergic to tomatoes, I love 3 musketeers and cadbury eggs. Takes all kinds....

Nancy said...

Oh, but you MUST try persimmons again, and again, and again, until you find a nice sweet one. They are my #1 new fruit, newly discovered, and I buy them by the dozens when I can find them! There's several different kinds and should be a little on the firm, but soft, side. Ask your produce man to let you try one!

mayberry said...

Right with you on the bananas -- that story about the judge turned my stomach!

Miscellaneous-Mum said...

well, I'm with you on the persimmons. YEUUK. Almost as bad as starfruit (which you mightn't have heard of? They're pretty rare ...and for good reason!)

Scribbit said...

I think food preferences are so interesting--what makes something appealing to one person and nasty to another?

My husband hates mushrooms and onions and I can't get enough. Oh well.

Nancy, I'll definitely try a persimmon again, your rave sounded so yummy I'm officially ready for a second attempt.

Robin said...

I am SO there with you on #13, and you already knew that I hate raw tomatoes enough to do an entire post about them. Now I do have to differ on the 3 Musketeers bar - that is heaven in a plastic pack.

Oh, and I'm allergic to persimmons. Make my throat close up.

Jordan (MamaBlogga) said...

My SIL thinks baby food bananas were disgusting and always smashed her own. I think they're fabulous and am always tempted when feeding them to Haydie.

(Gotta say that I like 3 Musketeers and LOVE Cadburies, though.)

I'm glad I'm not the only picky person ever. My husband acts like I'm a freak because I don't like eggs.

Oh, by the way, haggis isn't so bad. Ryan served in Scotland, and I've been dragged to many a Scottish event, but eaten haggis only once. Everyone at the table raved about how it hardly tasted like liver. Guess I got a good one.

(One plus of marrying such a Scot: he wore a kilt for the wedding!)

Jordan (MamaBlogga) said...

Oh, I missed the tomatoes--ditto!

Judy Callarman said...

I have to agree with you on most, but I love bananas and cadbury eggs and tomatoes. Once I accidentally ate one crispy fried calamari ring--before I realized that "calamari" was a fancy name for octopus. Ugh!!

Leah said...

You are one picky eater. I love eggplants , I used to not like it when I was a kid but now I do. And sushi rolls i like, although I dont like the raw fish.

Scribbit said...

Well actually I'm not too picky. When it comes to things that were not once alive and roaming the yard. I'm a little weird about different meats and animals but pretty okay with everything else. Just a few things. :)

Crimson Wife said...

I don't like raw tomatoes either, but I love them cooked.

Eggplant parm is yummy when properly prepared. I also had an garden lasagna with eggplant in it one time that was to die for!

Nicholas said...

I agree with you completly about chili peppers. I loathe any kind of spicy food. Chili, curry etc all originated in countries with hot climates, where spices were added to meat that had gone off in the heat in order to cover the taste of rotten food.

And sushi. I've never had it and never will. You can decorate it as much as you like, but not matter what you wrap it in, it's still uncooked dead fish.

OpenChannel said...

I am so with you on the eggplant.

Love sushi, though. I always say if I had to only eat one thing for the rest of my life, it would be sushi.

You can have bad persimmons. Yick. But good ones are great. I had a bad persimmon experience at first and then didn't eat them again for years.

Things with heads still attached... just wrong.

my4kids said...

I'm so with you on 13. Kelly likes to cook fish with the head on for some reason but I insist he remove mine first.
3 musketeers and cadbury eggs? I love those!
Most of them I agree with also. I'm a pretty picky eater though.
I do like bananas though

my4kids said...

Oh and I do like persimmons. My grandmother has always grown them in her backyard and they are good. She makes really good persimmon cookies with them also. She picks a special bag just for Kelly though

Heffalump said...

The sushi we eat is the way they make it in Korea, and it doesn't have raw meat in it. You can't get around the seaweed aspect of it though. Our kids love to eat toasted seaweed. Its like having chips to them.
I had a friend that could not eat tomatoes and could hardly look at one. Something about the slimy stuff and the seeds inside.
My oldest son is so anti banana that he almost has hysterics if he even sees someone else eating one. Our other boys love them, and have to eat them away from #1 so as not to upset him. He loved them as a baby though!

sognatrice said...

Oh my goodness, you just made a list of some of my most favorite foods in the world! Doesn't sound like you'd do too well in Italy (but if you wanted to come and try some of these things out, I'd take 3 Musketeers bars and Capt'n Crunch as your entrance fee) ;)

sandierpastures said...

Maybe you should try sushi without the nori? When I first came to Japan, I despised the nori but after living there too long, I learned to love it and still loving it now. I am not a sushi lover myself because I don't like the feel of raw food in my tongue.
Figs!? and carcasses!! that freaked me out.

DS Writer said...

Love the picture of the purple haired lady, very cute and definitely apt.

Wow, you're pretty much the opposite of me in terms of food. I love peppers for example, but I don't have a penchant for chili peppers and the live food. (at least we agree :-)) But shushi? I'll that anyday. :-)

Nice post. Good job.

Blog Bloke said...

Unfortunately now that I'm diabetic I have to eat most of things on your list (excepting the alive, wriggling, or with its head still attached of course). I know... it sucks.



crazy working mom said...

Great list! :)

I'm with ya on the figs and persimmons!

Have a good week.

Kelly said...

Are you sure you're not just channeling my five-year-old daughter? Because I'm pretty sure this is her list.

Especially the bananas.

When we were contemplating having another baby last year, I asked her what she might think about having a new little brother or sister. Her reply: "No! Because he might just hit me and tease me and chase me with bananas."

(Which is what her current little brother does. And honestly, who would want to add to that misery?)

Oh! And since this is already the longest comment in the history of blogging, I have a fantastic baked polenta recipe I can send you when I return home. It's slightly cheesy and warm and gooey. It's perfect on a cold winter's day. (Ever have those in Alaska? Or is it just Minnesota?)

Jenn in Holland said...

Yup. Ooh-ick canned corn, peas, carrots. I can do green beans, but much prefer fresh.

I would have to tease you for being a pantywaist about salsa. Mild is for babies, baby!

No captain crunch, it scratches the roof of the mouth. Yuck.

Love sushi though, and bananas if they are still just a tad green. Can't stand my fruit mushy. The only exception is a tomato, which I also will not eat plain, but can handle in a salad or on a sandwich.

Heidi said...

I LOVE banana's and 3 musketeer bars, couldn't live without raw tomato's, and chili's umm the hotter the better. I enjoy captin crunch every now and then but have to agree with jenn it scratchs the roof of my mouth.

I agree with you on the persimmons. I've never tried eggplant so I'll take your word on that one!

Fun list!

The Late Bloomer said...

You know, I think sushi is definitely an acquired taste, like a number of other things out there -- including drinks like beer or wine! I've grown to love wine, for example, but it took gradual easing into it, starting with light whites. Now, give me a good glass of Bordeaux anyday, and I'm a happy woman! But beer -- no thank you. You can keep it; it's just not my cup o' tea.

And same goes for sushi: when you've had the GOOD stuff, not the fast-served kind in most fake or lesser-quality joints, then you know that sushi can be pure heaven... And not just the maki sushi! Years back I wouldn't touch sushi, now I love the combination of good-quality fish with the ginger, soy sauce and wasabi -- my mouth is watering just thinking about it!

There are a lot of things over the years that I've acquired the taste for, whereas as a child I didn't like them. Boudin, or blood sausage, was something I had a hard time with my first year in France. But now if it is served or prepared well, I don't mind it so much -- but it won't be my first choice in a restaurant, that's for sure!

I have a hard time finding eggplant palatable, so I agree with you on that. And the one thing I'm entirely in agreement with is BANANAS! I don't know why, but I've never liked the taste of them! Even in bread or cake form. Banana flavoring period is just a no-no for me. So I guess I'm lacking in potassium levels...

Oh, and big raw tomatoes I'm not wild about, but what about fresh cherry tomatoes with some basil? Mmmmmm.

Patois said...

I am not a banana fan. My husband "made me" eat them when I was pregnant with the first couple of kids, arguing for bananas' nutritional value. I did it. But I have always hated bananas. And it's not the flavor. It's the squish and the texture. Your story about Souter? I knew there was a reason I didn't like him. Now it's been pinpointed for me.

Heather said...

I'm with you on the grape, Cap'n Crunch, Cadbury eggs and hot stuff. I love bananas and tomatoes, though. There aren't many things I won't try, but sushi is one of them. Reminds me of live bait. Most of the things I won't eat by themselves are okay if they are an ingredient. I don't like peanut butter, but I love peanut butter cups. Of course anything is more appealing covered in chocolate! I also don't like peas by themselves, but love them in soups and salads. Go figure.
PS- I kinda like Dame Edna. Funny!

Tim Appleton (Applehead) said...

I agree on a couple, and disagree on a couple...
egg plant-blah
candy bars-they're ok
I don't know what's wrong with canned vegetables. I can see why we do our own canning though
chilis-bring 'em on the hotter the better
Polenta- I don't even know what they are...
Cap'n Crunch-yum. my brothers and I went through a box a day when we were teenagers
Fig-not so much, fig newtons are ok insect won't kill you either, the protein will do you good.
Persimmons-haven't tried them, We have a tree that Steph swears we will be picking from
Bananas-who doesn't like Banannas?
Raw tomatoes-I concur
Sushi- I haven't tried this either, I have tried the smoked tuna that wasn't bad.
Grape flavoring-I'm not much on grapes, unless you count the dimeatap med...

Tracie said...

I have to agree on eggplant. It's all about the texture. For sushi, it was the same for me. The seaweed tasted like a bucket of saltwater.
Ever tried the Three Musketeers frozen? Oooo, that reminds me that UNO bars are DELICIOUS that way.

Amy The Black said...

I agree on some, but disagree on a others. I like eggplant, if it's cooked right. Chocolate is chocolate to me.

G's Cottage said...

I am in awe of everybody's food lists. Maybe I can toss out an encouragement or two. Well, probably not in regards to figs or polenta.

Eggplant should only be consumed in Mousaka. Yes, the Greek stuff. If you want to try it I'll share a great Americanized recipe.

Raw tomatoes should never be larger than a tennis ball, if that large. Beefsteaks are for the county fair display competition only, not for eating. Tomatoes should also be eaten the day they are picked in a sun-drenched garden or farm plot. There is nothing like picking a fresh tomato, hosing it down and devouring it on the spot; juice running down the elbow. Heaven.

Stephanie said...

A little bird told me that a post on persimmons was requested! :)

We never did anything with them last year. I plan to this year. One thing I do know is they are disgusting if not ripe. They are not ripe until wrinkled, brown and gooey. Hopefully I will have more to say about them late fall! :)

JAM said...

There's so much comment worthy content here I don't know how to even start.

I'll try to keep it simple.

Eggplant totally creeps me out. They look freaky, and if I know they're in food, it's like finding out that there are ground up eyeballs in it.

We tried eating fresh or frozen vegetables, but although Lovely Wife and I prefer them, we've ruined our children and they will ONLY eat canned. I'm such a failure as a father.

I do love a Three Musketeer's bar, but no one has ever been able to give me a straight answer on exactly what "nougat" is. That lessens the enjoyment greatly.

If your husband is man enought to have drank green bean juice out of the can AND admit it, he's my kind of guy. Too bad you guy's live on the opposite side of the planet from Florida, or I'd ask him over to hang out.

I love me some fiery hot food, but alas, middle age is making it harder and harder to eat. I'm finally understanding the statement, "I like ______, but they don't like me."

Never heard of polenta. I'll have to yahoo it.

I've never liked figs very much. One of my grandmothers had a fig tree and made fig preserves that everyone raved over, all the while I was searching the refrigerator for the Welch's Grape Jelly. And I was a happy man when Nabisco added Apple Newtons to the Fig Newton line of snacks.

And finally, I'm right there with you, avoiding cooked animals with the head still attached. That's why I cannot eat sardines but I can eat anchovies. Sardines, you're eating that dude from it's little pouty lips to the tail, anchovies, they've just nicely provided me strips of meat to add to my pizza.

Great list!

Lori - Queen of Dirty Laundry said...

Chiming in to say that I totally agree with you on grape-flavored anything. Won't do it. Including grape jelly. Ick. But I love real grape juice and of course, grapes of any color.

Haven't tried a fig or persimmon, but that bug carcass thing probably guaranteed I'll never try a fig now!

mcewen said...

You are officially a food wuss. I don't want to ever hear you moaning about your delightful children being fussy eaters as you only have your [own gene pool] self to blame.
Having said that, all the chocolatey things can go.
Would it help if you called the eggplant an aubergine? [the correct name] See I'm trying to end on a positive note.

Barbara H. said...

I'm with you on eggplants, chili peppers, polenta, figs, persimmons, sushi, and anything listed in #13! But I LOVE Three Musketeers bars! And we like bananas a lot, too, when they're starting to get spotted.

Joyful Days said...

Aaaawwww...I wait for the summer explosion of tomatoes. I could eat tomatoes and corn on the cob until it came out my ears.

Maybe I'll send Roo to your house he could live without tomatoes served as themselves.

Joy T. said...

I find it so interesting how different people like different foods. I'm a huge tomatoe fan. Can't get enough. But I'm with you on the sushi. I tried. Twice. And can't for the life of me figure out what the appeal is to so many people who love it. Great TT.

SusieJ said...

I'll be over to eat your leftovers!

crissybug said...

What a fun list. We have alot of the same dislikes. Eggplant, canned vegetables, I don't even know what polenta is, figs, sushi, and especially anything alive or with is head attached.

I went to Spain for our honeymoon. It was where my husband served his mission. They made me paella which is supposed to be a real treat...I about gagged when they brought it out. It had whole shrimp on it. I can't even stand seafood let alone having their beadie eyes staring at me!

I have to admit the other items on my list are some of my favorites. I can understand your logic on some, but it never hurts to give them a try every now and again.

Thea said...

Oh my gosh this whole list is awesome! I'm with you on every one...except the bananas. For me there's about a 12 hour window of perfectly ripe banana goodness.

And since I don't really like seafood (cooked or otherwise), I was a little bit lost when I went to Japan. Did you know it was an island? Surrounded by water? That they get fish out of? I can't even imagine eating minnows in soy sauce. Gag.

kailani said...

I don't like Captain Crunch either. The texture is so rough that it cuts up the roof of my mouth. Maybe I should just take smaller bites. ;-)

Mercy's Maid said...

Fun list. I'm a really picky eater, but I actually like several of the foods on your list. Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch is my favorite cereal, but I hate the kind with Crunch Berries.

LIB said...

I like Eggplant Parmesan, but have only had it in restaurants, where-presumably-they knew how to fix it.

I also go to this Thai restaurant where they fix a YUMMY green curry. This has small (maybe 2") eggplant in it.

An Ordinary Mom said...

I won't touch sushi with a ten foot pole. Most seafood I can't stand, although I have tried several times to like it. I also don't enjoy olives or fungus ... aka mushrooms.

However, I do love raw tomatoes and bananas, as long as they aren't spotted.

laughing mommy said...

I'm so glad to not be the only one who doesn't like to bite into a tomato. Tomato sauce, good. Ketchup, good. Tomatoes in soup or cooked in recipes, good.

Tomato on a sandwich, or fresh slices on top of pizza, gross.

But I do love Three Musketeers. YUM!

pussreboots said...

Eggplant is really good in sauce when it's diced up small. You can use it wherever you would use mushrooms.

Nori tastes a lot better than it looks.

Happy TT.

Leslie said...

I'm with you on the raw tomatoes. Can't do it. But, Three Musketeers? Oh, how I love them, cherish them and dream about them when I'm PMS-ing. And the Cadbury Eggs make Easter candy worthwhile for me.

Carmen said...

Michelle, I'm totally stealing this for my own site, 'kay?

Judy Aron said...

I couldn't stand eggplant when I was a kid - I love it now but my body doesn't like nightshade veggies too much, so I tend to pass on it. Not good for blood type O's.

Three Musketeers.. blech.. I only eat dark chocolate these days .. the real good stuff. Thinking of it makes me weak in the knees.

Canned veggies.. no thanks.. I'll pass unless we are in a world crisis. Fresh and organic is my thing.

Chili peppers - um.. no.. but a sprinkle of chili powder now and then is ok. I'd rather have garlic any day.

Polenta - My grandma used to make it - but I never liked it much.

Capt'n Crunch - is crap plain and simple.

Figs .. oh yummo - fresh figs are wonderful.. The dried stuff is ok too.

Persimmons - eh.. not my thing

Bananas - packed with potassium.. I like them but sometimes they upset my stomach. I make a fabulous banana bread.

Tomatoes - I love em any way.. and the heirloom varieties are great - you can keep the hothouse crap they sell in the store.. give me beefsteaks or cherry right out of the garden.

Sushi - no raw fish thanks..never can trust the possibility of parasites. I like the veggie sushi though..and Nori is great!

Grape flavored anything - gag me.. that goes for most artificial flavorings anyway.

Yeah - no live foods thanks..
and one last item I cannot get over my lips.. okra.. ick and double ick.

Wacky Mommy said...

i love veggie sushi.

Lisa said...

I will never eat a fig again, thanks!

Have a great thursday, my list is up too.

Megan@SortaCrunchy said...

Oh my! I finally found someone who shares my loathing for all things grape-flavored. It all tastes like Dimetapp to me! Love me some real grapes, but the artificial flavored stuff doesn't even come close.

And while I still beg to differ with you on Kashi Go-Lean, I very much agree about Captain Crunch. You know what? That stuff cuts up the roof of my mouth. I don't understand how or why, but I can't eat it at all. Not to mention the sugar coma it brings on.

cheeky said...

You got me thinking . . . . . .mmhhh I don't know if there are 13 foods I don't like, but I'm going to think about it.

I don't dislike eggplant but it's not one of my faves.

I've never liked 3M's. Now add caramel in there and you have a Milkyway . . . yummy!

Canned veggies are definitely not top choice and those baby corns? What are those anyway? I never could figure that out. I agree, they are terrible.

I'm all about the hot pepper. There are peppers that are too hot but oh how I like it spicy.

I'll be on the look out for a recipe with polenta. I like the stuff.

Captain Crunch is pure sugared bliss, and once in a while it's good to be bad. I like Kashi too. :)

You do know mushrooms are fungus; you know the stuff made up of parasitic organisms, and lots of them (not just one) like mold, mildew and yeast. Yep all in the same family. Now doesn't that make you feel better? What's one dead bug compared to thousands of living ones?

Persimmons have to be really, really ripe and then they are sweet.

I like bananas, banana bread, etc. but fake banana flavouring, now that's gotta go! Talk about YUCK! Grape flavour is ok by me.

Tomatoes are one of my top faves, no doubt about that. Anyway. I love me some yummy tomatoes and especially on their own with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. There is also nothing like homegrown. Those horrible things they sell in the markets are not tomatoes.

Sushi is yummy but it is an acquired taste and quality is a must. It is all about the sushimi forget the nori and rolls. A top quality salmon melts like butter in your mouth.

That's funny about the grape fluoride treatment. I think I would have enjoyed it! :)

I'm with you on the last. Cooked is my preference, or at least not moving. HA!

*I liked giving my two cents and I see I'm not the only one.

Poppy Fields said...

Your list gave me the smiles. I make polenta fries that are pretty yummy. Basically you make polenta as usual, let it cool off, cut it into sticks or bite size pieces and then fry in golden brown. Okay, so it's not extra healthy, but it's good.

Coach J said...

I'm with ya on numbers 1, 3, 7, 11, and 13; but I LOVE fresh tomatoes out of my garden. I bring 'em in, sometimes I peel them, cut them up, add some salt and pepper, and sit down to the best stuff God created !! :)

Fourier Analyst said...

There you go giving eggplant a bad name! Probably you are a "super-taster" so you pick up on the bitter taste which is an acid in the skin of the eggplant. However, this acid (chlorogenic acid) is a great anti-oxidant which not only helps prevent cancer but also helps break down arterial plaque and lower cholesterol. Recent studies also show it is effective in lowering blood pressure. What's not to love? The taste you say? Cook it slowly in a Moussaka or a Ratatoulie (along with zucchini which has similar properties). Or put some on the outdoor grill which for some reason makes it taste sweet! Both methods also alter the spongy texture! Be adventurous! And enjoy!

The Preacher's Wife said...

I am totally with you on the banana thing. the baby food? d-lish. banana laffy taffys are the best. real bananas, especially black ones? no thank you. and could you imagine kissing that judge?

My hubby loves figs, i cannot wait to tell him about the bug thing...he'll never eat another one! :)

thanks for stopping by my blog today...

Carolanne said...

cThe only things that wouldn't be on my list are the raw tomatoes and bananas. Other than that, I'm in full agreement with you!

Martha said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Martha said...

OH YEA! The real reason I wanted to comment:
I'm sure you've tried soft, creamy polenta when you thought it to be mush.
Have you made polenta cakes? You use less water (soft polenta is about 1 part by volume corn meal : 5+ parts liquid; cakes are 1 part corn meal : 3 parts liquid).
Cook it up the same. spread it smooth in tray. Let cool. Cut it into shapes (or squares) and griddle it on both sides. mmm.
also. polenta is a starch. be sure to season it well (it will require more seasoning the other foods).
cook with a mix of stock and milk - this makes more flavorful.

Other flavors to add:
green onion
cheeses (mexican cheeses work well)
roasted red pepper
cilantro lime
basically anything that goes with corn in general works well.

Martha said...

sushi = seasoned (vinegared) rice.
if you don't like the seaweed, don't get the rolls (seaweed is used to roll them and hold them together). If it's the raw fish - not all sushi has raw fish - there are vegetarian version and version with cooked items - crab, shrimp, eel, etc.
I LOVE cadbury cream eggs. But they don't even taste good! I think I like the whole they look like real eggs but it's just pure sugary goodness.
Ew cap'n crunch. so many better cereals out there.
Your persimmon story is the EXACT same as my Kumquat story - The one I tried was soo horrible I'm actually going to buy them again. I can't believe people like them if they taste as horrible as what I put in my mouth (and spit out). So I'll give them another shot.
I'm just passing by. I started on a friend's page and went clicking thru random blogs that seem interesting.

Amy W said...

I with you on so many of these...but bananas? Love them. Although they are one fruit that 2 points on Weight Watchers, so I tend to avoid them.

Schelle said...

I'm with you on the eggplants, sushi & wrigglers - but I should send you some of our persimmons (if we save any from the birds this year) yummy! The ones you can buy in a store just can't compete.

Amy said...

I am with you on the spicy food and those chocolate eggs- blech! My main food gripe is onions. I hate onions and have no idea why people put them in everything! Something about that nasty texture gives me the creeps.

Ni Yachen said...

I think I am just about oppisite of you for everything on that list. By the way, octopus ink does turn your mouth the coolest color and tastes just like egg yolk.

French Property said...

I am with the 2nd comment on this coz i am allergic to tomatoes and also i ve faced some medical issues with tomatoes i ll completely neglect that.

French Leaseback said...

I have to disagree on the raw tomatoes part, I love them I could eat them all day! My ex girlfriend, like your, used to hate eating the one their own but would eat them with something?! They taste the same either way...delicious!