Hey, hey Monday!
It’s time to get vocal and opinionated because…it’s another edition of TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE!
Last time, we shared our TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: FRUIT so naturally today we need to share…OUR TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: VEGETABLES.
As a reminder, this blog series is often about “overrated and underrated” things and not necessarily “likes and dislikes”.
I’m going to reiterate what I said concerning fruit, I honestly really think I “like” most veggies. That being said, I do find some fruit OVERRATED and others UNDERRATED.
(And I have a feeling that you do too.)
Alrighty, here we go…
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: VEGETABLES
#5: CORN
I mean, it’s honestly pretty darn good added to everything. I would actually say that “on the cob” is my least favorite way to enjoy it. Add it to my salsa. Add it to my pasta. Throw it in a savory or sweet muffin. I like the texture, the taste and how it plays nice with other flavor profiles. I think corn should be included in more dishes. It’s such an easy little veggie.
#4: BRUSSELS SPROUTS
I do not understand why Brussels sprouts can’t get a better PR firm. They are seriously lacking in good publicity! Brussels sprouts are CRAZY DELICIOUS. My husband and I argue about this veggie often and my answer is always “you’re eating them wrong!”. I think people often remember eating Brussels sprouts “back in the day” when they were just boiled and let’s be real, WHAT VEGGIE SHINES WHEN IT’S ‘JUST BOILED’?! Roast these guys, grill them, make them spicy or super savory…they are crunchy and can be caramelized and oh my word, they’re delish. Someone please help those poor Brussels sprouts get a “rebrand”.
#3: SWEET POTATOES
The russet’s better relative. Not only can we qualify this yummy carb as “healthful” but geez, it’s delicious. It can be both sweet and savory. It works in pies, muffins and bread or it’s delicious roasted and added to risotto, chicken and pastas. A regular plain old potato baked and not “dressed” is pretty boring. A regular plain old sweet potato baked and not “dressed” is crazy good.
#2: AVOCADOS
I don’t want to have the “is it a fruit or a veggie conversation” here. I want to have the “avocados are freaking amazing” conversation. I pretty much eat one every single day. They’re creamy, they complement both my eggs and my tacos. They’re loaded with healthy fats and loads of flavor. Slice it, mash it…I don’t care. Just please put it on my plate.
#1: PUMPKIN
Do I even need to explain?
Of course my favorite vegetable is the pumpkin 🙂 .
Those are the veggies that I consider “underrated”. But which ones do I think are overrated?
Here are my…
#5: CELERY
Unless I’m five years old and you’re covered in peanut butter and my raisins are lined up as “ants”, I’m bored with you.
#4: RADISH
I mean…there are very few times when one actually enjoys seeing a radish on their plate. Do they make cute “rose” garnishes at a fancy restaurant? Sure. Is a bite or two okay in a salad? Okay. Does one ever crave a radish or get excited for them or ask the server to “please bring extra”? No. They are a colorful yet wasteful addition to my plate.
#3: ASPARAGUS
I just don’t get the appeal. Andrew could eat asparagus every day. My mom eats them like candy. I don’t hate them, but for the love, can you hand me some broccoli or a green bean or a Brussels sprout or like ANYTHING ELSE instead?
#2: ICEBERG LETTUCE
Sigh. I love a salad. I love a lettuce on my burger. I am a lettuce person. Iceberg has zero flavor unless it’s served as a wedge and covered in bacon and bleu cheese. Yawn.
#1: CAULIFLOWER
It’s broccoli’s more boring cousin. I’m not a fan of the color (white foods are not my fave), so it’s not even pretty on my plate. Any recipe/dish with cauliflower would just look and taste better if instead it was broccoli. I clearly do not get the appeal.
Now…
It wouldn’t be a TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE without Andrew weighing in too.
ANDREW’S TOP FIVE VEGGIES:
#5: GARLIC
#4: GREEN BEANS
#3: AVOCADO
#2: SMASHED PEAS (ENGLISH STYLE)
#1: SWEET POTATO FRIES
ANDREW’S BOTTOM FIVE VEGGIES:
#5: CELERY
#4: LIMA BEANS
#3: BEETS
#2: CUCUMBER
#1: BRUSSEL SPROUTS
And those, my friends, are our TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: VEGETABLES 🙂 .
Now, don’t forget to check out these other TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE blog posts:
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CONDIMENTS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: HOLIDAY HOLIDAY THINGS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: STORE-BOUGHT COOKIES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: THINGS ABOUT A FAIR/CARNIVAL
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: ICE CREAM FLAVORS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SPRING CLEANING
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: TRAVELING BY PLANE
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SKIING WITH YOUR FAMILY
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS MOVIES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: HALLOWEEN CANDY
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CEREALS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: HOUSEHOLD CHORES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS SONGS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: THANKSGIVING FOODS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE ROAD TRIP SNACKS
I feel like you guys are going to have A LOT of thoughts and opinions. I cannot wait to read the blog comments below!
Please comment and share!
If you’re looking for recipes for dinner this week, I am also sharing my MEAL PLANNING MONDAY: BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION today too!
I hope you all have the BEST start to your week! I’ll see you tomorrow. xx
Diane Moore says
Favorite vegetable and definitely underrated – cabbage! I prefer it cooked but love it raw on a taco or Asian dish. I eat it every day. I live it cooked with a seasoned meat/chicken, fried egg and cheese in a bowl for lunch every day and I’ll eat it again for supper if I can. 😁
Overrated – for me, the yummy sweet potato and avocado. Love the taste, hate the digestive distress. 🙁
Mix and Match Mama says
I LOVE cabbage!! That is a GREAT underrated veggie!!
Amy Heinl says
Oh boy….I can’t wait to see the results of the pot you stirred…..lol….Here
are mine:
Top 5
1. Red or Golden Potatoes
2. Sweet potatoes
3. Green Beans
4. Beets
5. Garlic
Bottom 5;
1. Every bean other than green beans (refried, lime, butter, kidney, black, pork n beans)..just plain gross and make me gag thinking about them
2. Avocado
3. Radishes
4. Cauliflower
5. Every lettuce except Romaine and iceberg which I love
Mix and Match Mama says
I LOVE this list!!!! Thank you, thank you for sharing!!
Laura says
2
Susan Jeffries says
We have a huge garden this year and my husband and I planted totally opposite veggies. He is all about the cabbage and jalepenos and I love cherry tomatoes and sweet peppers. I will miss having fresh veggies when the cold weather hits(:
Elspeth Mizner says
I am a huge fruit and veggies person! I could eat them every day all day. I love peppers, eat them solo or with dip, they are a favorite!
http://www.elspethadaybyday.com
Beth Valenta says
Top 5: spinach in eggs, salads, etc., cucumbers, green peppers, broccoli, and I would say onions as we eat them in everything.
Bottom 5: Agree on radish (who needs it), turnips, cauliflower, kale, and carrots ( just don’t want them ever cooked but a baby carrot in ranch is OK)
These posts are always one of my favorites! Happy Monday Shay!!
Emi says
100 on your top five. I love love love sweet potatoes, especially garnet and jewel. Brussel sprouts? So good! Yes, I even enjoy them boiled!
Brittany says
My husband and is a family doc and looooves to remind people that corn doesn’t really count as a vegetable- it’s more of a starch.
~B~ says
I had to comment on this too – used to love corn, then many, many years ago our kids’ pediatrician told us it was basically useless…hence why we’d see it arriving in their diaper/training potty looking much like it did before they ate it. Since then? I have no desire for this vegi. 🤪
Kati R says
Cauliflower comes in vibrant purple and orange varieties – roasted, chopped, mashed, riced, grilled – so delicious
Kristin says
I LOVE reading these, though I can’t make myself come up with lists, because it’s too darn hard. I would, however, definitely include radishes (just why?) and celery on my bottom five. I pretty much only use celery in stuffing and when I make chicken broth, and on the rare occasion I make tuna salad. I would absolutely have garlic and avocado (also don’t care that it’s a fruit) on my top five, and you are correct, brussels sprouts are incredible when roasted. I also love roasted cauliflower, especially if I roast it with some shallots. Yum! And corn is perfection.
Erika Slaughter says
How did cauliflower make your bottom five? It’s having a MOMENT right now and can be eaten so many different ways!! I’m shocked!
Dana P says
Your top list is spot on in my opinion! I guess the underrated/overrated thing is throwing me off. I was definitely thinking of it as like/dislike.
Just some random thoughts- radishes are so good the way the french eat them with salt crystals and butter! And brussels sprouts roasted with bacon, cranberries, maple syrup, and salt are delicious. But I’m not into the way they stay with you the rest of the day. There is also an amazing recipe from the Defined Dish that includes chicken thighs, harissa, veggies like brussels sprouts and, yes cauliflower, and a lemon garlic aioli. It is fantastic!
https://thedefineddish.com/sheet-pan-harissa-chicken-veggies-with-lemon-aioli/
Susy says
Top. One of only two veggies I grow? Radishes! They come in so many colors; got a kick which is neither hot or spicy, just flavorful!
Edamame! They are fun to eat! And good for you!
Broccoli! Like Brussels sprouts so many great ways to cook and ways to use from soup to roasted.
Sweet Potatoes
Brussels sprouts even though I disliked them as a child.
Bottom—no explanation needed.
All time worst and slimy: okra!!
The only vegetable I won’t eat.
Amy Timm says
I actually like veggies a lot of people don’t like including cauliflower (raw and cooked), celery, radishes, beets but I agree with you that asparagus is overrated – I think it has no flavor. If I had to pick by top 5 I’d say – green beans, broccoli, corn, cauliflower and romaine lettuce blend. Bottom 5 would be avocado, asparagus, sweet potatoes, zucchini and squash.
Lisa N says
Roast asparagus in the air fryer, melt and brown 2TBS butter, add 1 tsp balsamic vinegar and 2 tsp soy sauce and pour over roasted asparagus. Yum! For Andrew😉
SS says
Top 5…. Green beans (straight from the garden. I had to replant ours because something ate the plants so waiting), peas (especially from the garden), potatoes and corn on the cob (i know starches, but so yummy). We buy our sweet corn from a farm right now nothing says summer like corn on the cob!! Also, I will say sweet potatoes. I also like baked brussel sprouts.
Technically avocado is a fruit and so is squash, but I enjoy both.
Bottom… Brussel sprouts, peppers, tomatoes (I like sauce but not to eat a tomato). I can’t really think of anything else. I grow both banana peppers and tomatoes 3 -4 different kids in our garden. Lol
Cucumbers, zucchini, egg plant are all ok… Not the first I reach for though. Zucchini in bread but not sure that counts. 😆
Faith says
I didn’t think I was picky until now! It really depends on the season for me.
My top veggies are sweet potatoes, green beans, corn on the cob (summer), zucchini, broccoli (cooked), cucumbers (summer only)
My bottoms veggies are avocados, Brussels sprouts (no matter how cooked), asparagus, peas, green peppers (but I like red, orange and yellow in fajitas). Oh and mushrooms – I’ll eat them on a pizza if they aren’t chunky but I don’t like them.
Sheaffer says
Tell me you just forgot about the sugar snap pea. It deserves a spot in the top.
Kay says
Yesssss on Brussel sprouts!!! They are SO GOOD. I’ve had them with sriracha at one of our favorite dumpling restaurants and they’re amazing. At home, I buy them pre shredded and fry in a cast iron skillet with a little! butter, olive oil, salt and pepper and that’s all it takes.
And totally agree on celery-the WORST. HATE. Good bye.
Casey says
Vegetables are my favorite food group, I love them so much! My top five could easily be a top 40! I put garlic in the same category as salt, pepper, spices, & herbs.
Top Five (I literally eat all of these every single day):
5. Very, very crisp romaine lettuce
4. Onions
3. Cucumbers
2. Avocado
1. Tomatoes – maybe my favorite food period
Bottom Five:
5. Non-Green Beans
4. Water chestnuts (don’t put that weird crunch in a casserole)
3. Mushrooms (I like them okay)
2. Spinach
1. PEAS
Kara McKinley says
How am I just learning at 47 years old that garlic is a vegetable? haha!!
Kerry says
I am chucking at your list because I would put not put 4 of your top 5 into the veggie category – corn, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes are starches/grains (high carb) and avocados are fruit. 😂 In my head (and based on the guidance all my nutritionists have given me), veggies need to be low carb/starch. I wish my macro tools counted these as veggies!! 🤣🤣🤣
Alexa says
I needed this fun post this morning. Thank you!! Brussel sprouts have become my new favorite vegetable over the last year!
Jamie says
You must be eating asparagus wrong!! Ha! I definitely agree with everything else! I cracked up imagining someone asking for extra radishes!
Michelle says
Love most veggies. Agree about radishes and celery but add beets (taste like dirt) and turnips.
Lisa Gulledge says
Top- green beans, eggplant, spinach, zucchini and squash
Bottom- radishes, kale, beets, iceberg lettuce and Lima beans
Kristy Moore says
I’d have to add zucchini to my list of top 5-love them grilled or in a muffin/loaf. I 100% agree with you about iceberg lettuce, like come on….it’s just water hiding in a green skin!
I must disagree with Andrew and beets. Not even pickled Andrew??? 😛
Kelly says
We took a vacation last year with several other couples and had a private chef come in and make us dinner. He made such fabulous cauliflower that everyone at the table chose it as their favorite dish of the night, including people who said they didn’t even think they liked cauliflower. And we ate lobster and filet mignon. Here are his instructions: Pan fried with salt and pepper
Put it in the oven and cook for a long time. Add a little sugar and garlic and beef broth while roasting.
Put it back in the pan and saute a little more
Mine isn’t quite as good as his was but it’s still better than what I used to make.
Dawn says
I forgot radishes existed.
Laura Holmes says
I think I’m actually gagging at Andrew’s smashed peas! 🤢 Love the avocado! Love broccoli also! It gets so much hate for no reason. Roast it. Eat it raw. All delicious!
Jessica Belanger says
My husband and I always say that roasted Brussel sprouts are like candy…they are soooo good!
Mix and Match Mama says
YES!!! I agree!!!!
AliJ says
Brussel Sprouts (I have tried them steamed, boiled, roasted, and air fryer), broccoli, cauliflower, peas, are veggies I despise. I will eat cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach, peppers, asparagus and potatoes (except sweet potatoes). I have to consider four other people when I meal prep so I know what everyone likes when it comes to veggies so I do eat the veggies I don’t like or I will have a variety of veggies.
Beth says
I’m not a radish person except for ROASTED! Have you ever roasted radishes? Halve them, toss in olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and roast until they are tender and delicious. SO GOOD and a great low carb alternative for roasted potatoes.
Alison says
I love that Andrew listed sweet potato FRIES as his number one. 😂 If that counts as a vegetable, I’m definitely in! Shay, I know you like spicy and I think I’ve seen you add kimchi to your plate before. Roast some Brussels sprouts, toss them in sea salt and olive oil and then mix with kimchi. A little salty. A little spicy. A lot of crunch. It’s such a good combo!
bette says
i am a veggie eater and like to eat veggies with my meals or cooked in my dishes. here are my top 5 and bottom 5.
top 5
5 – onions and garlic [they go hand in hand]
4 – green beans [they’re like green fries]
3 – spinach [the only salad i will eat]
2 – mushrooms [i like them raw or cooked]
1 – eggplant [they’re good solo or with other dishes]
bottom 5
5 – bittermelon [not into bitter taste]
4 – kale [i find this hard to eat]
3 – cabbage [like a denser lettuce]
2 – cauliflower [i only like the rice version]
1 – lettuce [i don’t get this one]
Mix and Match Mama says
I love your list! Thank you, thank you for sharing! You have a very solid Top 5 🙂 .
Caroline says
I am trying to eat more Brussels sprouts, but I just don’t love them. What is your favorite way to prepare them? I agree with the celery. My husband says he doesn’t want to eat and floss his teeth at the same time! 😆
Mix and Match Mama says
In the skillet! I love to sauté them until they get carnalized and then add some chili flake or soy sauce to give them a kick.
K. K. says
Yes, yes, same on boring cauliflower!! But love my asparagus with some olive oil, salt, and pepper, cooked in the oven!! Yum!!
Elizabeth Thorson (Liz) says
I love almost all vegetables except Lima beans, beets and kale, I think cauliflower, celery and radishes are OK, but I never choose them to eat. Asparagus, artichokes, zucchini, spinach, sweet potatoes, acorn and butternut squash, and mushrooms are all favorites!
Angela Head says
I love veggies so this is going to be hard, but here I go:
Top 5
#5 Broccoli
#4 Tomatoes (I know their “type” is controversial)
#3 Asparagus (even my extremely picky boys & husband will eat this 🤷🏻♀️)
#2 Cucumbers
#1 Zucchini
Bottom 5
#5 Cauliflower
#4 Celery
#3 (I really cannot come up with a #3)
#2 Peas
#1 Radishes
Caroline says
Oohh! Love this one!
Top 5:
1. Rainbow carrots
2. Japanese sweet potatoes
3. Brussel Sprouts
4. Butter lettuce
5. Parsnips
Bottom 5
1. Celery
2. Beets (they taste like dirt to me for some reason)
3. Kale
4. Red Lettuce
5. Jicama
Lorraine says
Top 5:
Bok choy (love, love it!!!)
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Red/yellow/orange peppers
Egg plant
Bottom 5:
Radicchio (why??)
Okra
Lima beans
Water chestnuts
Miniature corn
Mix and Match Mama says
LOVE YOUR LIST!! Water chestnuts are such a random little thing. Miniature corn too.
Sara says
I think I’d like smashed peas. Does anyone make them and if so, how?
Mix and Match Mama says
I make them all the time. I take defrost frozen peas and then add them to my skillet with a little olive oil, salt and pepper and heat them up. Then, I take my potato masher and lightly mash them. They’re super easy!
Sara says
I love peas and that sounds yummy! Thanks so much for sharing how you make them. I’ll be trying them.
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
This is too funny! I LOVE asparagus and cauliflower but I love them roasted in the oven with some EVOO, salt, and pepper. So so good!!!
Lauren Palmer says
Didn’t realize garlic was a vegetable. It is. I googled it and it’s in the onion family. What??????
WhittyWife (Lindsay) says
I agree with you on radishes, but I have a friend who swears by them. She roasts them and says they taste like potatoes… she has even added them to beef stew, and her husband didn’t realize they weren’t potatoes.
Now, I can’t imagine how this is true, but she swears by it! 🤣 Clearly we both need to try it!