[James Matthew Najera]

General Discussion Thread 10.23.2025​

Hey GrayViners!

Some tastes just take a little time to grow on us, don’t they? When we were kids, it felt like every dinner table battle involved at least one green thing staring back at us from the plate.

But somewhere along the way, our taste buds matured—or maybe we just got wiser—and those “yuck” foods turned into favorites. Funny how that happens!

So tell me, GrayViners: What vegetable did you wrinkle your nose at as a kid, but now happily pile onto your plate? Was it spinach, Brussels sprouts, or maybe good old lima beans?

Image credit: Nathan Dumlao/Unsplash

As for me, I’ll admit it… broccoli used to be my nemesis.

Just the sight of those little green “trees” made me groan. Now? I roast them, toss them in pasta, even snack on them plain—and I actually enjoy it! Who would’ve thought?

Your turn! Share your veggie redemption story in the forum. I bet we’ll have some laughs (and maybe even swap a few recipes)!

Cheers!
Blue

 

[Carol *]

Ochre

 

[Cindy k]

Beets. Now I eat them regularly and actually enjoy them.

 

[Debthina]

Peas...yuck! Still won't, but like all other veggies.

 

[terriespell]

Brusse Sprouts and Asparagus Still won’t eat Lima Beans

 

[tennis]

Back then all veggies were fine with me , except cooked carrots. Not I like them cooks. raw was of back then, just not cooked. and ocra. didn't like it them and I dont now

 

[flossiethebossie]

Brussel Sprouts

 

[Wiseoldone]

I can’t think of any, if it was put on your plate you ate it or didn’t eat

 

[NIBOR0]

I hate mixed vegetables then and now but will eat them separately.

 

[Geri]

Peas

 

[GaryBlake]

Brussels Sprouts. My mom made them and they were so dry. I had to eat them before I could leave the table. Most times, I was the only one at the table for a very long time. Absolutely love them now, in any form!

 

[Nancy.wallGV]

Mushrooms. Would not eat as a kid..love them now

 

[Justme]

Turnips, mustard greens or spinach. Hated them as a child and teenager, and I absolutely love them now.

 

[Hazeleyes]

Mushroom and asparagus- now eat if made correctly.
I basically love all vegetables except Ochre and Swiss chard.

 

[CSChapman]

Asparagus! As a child I thought of it as a limp, disgusting part of a quiche. Now I love it roasted as an alternative to potatoes!

 

[Gayle B.]

I hated Brussel sprouts. You had to finish them or you were not excused from the table. If you couldn’t force them down by bedtime you to look forward (NOT) to them the next morning. The 3 of us kids also pawned them off to the dog. That was until she threw them up. So much for a good thing for us. I still don’t like them no way, no how!
I never enjoyed cooked green peppers. I love all colors raw! I eat the all of them raw as snacks including the green ones. Never any hot peppers! Lima beans have never been my friend.
I guess I never learned to enjoy anything now that I hated then. I love summer squashes but not the winter squashes. We didn’t care at all about liver and onions. My 2 brothers grew to like it though. I let my husband know that if he ever wanted that he would have to go to a restaurant for it! Poor guy.

 

[harrimiller]

broccoli, asparagus and Brussel sprouts - love them all now!

 

[Cochy]

Spinach

 

[TammyK]

Parsnips, I hated them as a child . Now I love them. Roasted with butter or with ham.

 

[Larry B]

I hated spinach and Brussel sprouts as a kid. Now I love them both!