# I didn't know you cook that / eat that raw! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 7, 2006, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732 "2006-06-07T13:45:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2006, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/1 "2006-06-07T13:45:26Z")
Last night prepared sauted radishes. I had no idea you could cook radishes! I’d always had them raw, in salads, or just on their own. I picked up some radishes at the Farmer’s Market for a salad, and, being that I am a) cheap and b) always on the lookout for new sources of iron, it occurred to me that the greens might be edible. I did some googling, and found that, yes, radish greens can be cooked just like other types of greens, and radish roots can be cooked, too. So I sliced the roots fairly thick and stemmed the greens. I sauted the roots in canola oil until they just started to brown, then added the greens and continued to cook them until they were nicely wilted, and seasoned them with a touch of salt. The greens were surprisingly mild, and the radishes were kind of like a tender, subtly peppery turnip. Next time I’m going to throw in some tumeric and garam masala. I’ve also heard that kohlrabi can be cooked. Like radishes, we always had them as a summertime, straight out of the garden thing; we just peeled them, sprinkled them with salt, and noshed. But come to think of it they are similar in taste and texture to broccoli stalks (which makes sense, since both broccoli and kohlrabi are members of the same species _Brassica oleracea_, along with cabbage & kale—that’s some species, eh?), so I bet they’d be lovely in a soup or a stir fry. Have you recently discovered that one of your favorite raw foods can be cooked, or that something you’ve always cooked was also delicious in its raw state? ---
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2006, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/2 "2006-06-07T15:02:14Z")
No. However, we have discovered new ways to cook asparagus. My mother has always tended to steam asparagus. One Saturday at the Farmer’s Market she got a recipe for roasting asparagus–like in our toaster oven. Since she got that recipe, that’s the primary way she has fixed asparagus. On another occassion, I found a recipe in Taste of Home for asparagus chicken ka-bobs. And so, I fixed it. Very tasty, although skinny asparagus spears are a pain in the fingers to put on the skewers–and some of my pieces of asparagus split when I tried to skewer them. Left over asparagus went into the toaster oven. (I’d fixed more asparagus than the recipe called for). Also, Mom found a recipe in Southern Living for a cold salad which called for Asparagus–pretty tasty, although the asparagus were kind of cold and slimy–not the texture I associate with asparagus. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2006, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/3 "2006-06-07T16:01:33Z")
Oh, yeah, roasted asparagus is some good stuff. I even like it cold and slimy. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2006, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/4 "2006-06-07T22:14:29Z")
My wife and daughter enjoy eating small amounts of raw potatoes. Not enough for a side dish or anything, just a few pieces as a snack. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2006, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/5 "2006-06-07T23:13:54Z")
Asparagus raw? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2006, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/6 "2006-06-07T23:58:07Z")
I kind of like it raw too. It’s crunchy. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2006, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/7 "2006-06-08T00:04:01Z")
Raw meats are awesome. Beef, pork, bacon, chicken, it doesn’t matter. I have said it here before and I will say it again now: there is no meat that improves its flavor from cooking. It is always better raw. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2006, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/8 "2006-06-08T00:09:13Z")
I, also, have started eating raw asparagus. It’s great in salads or with dip, or just by itself. The only thing is that you have to cut off the other end, where it’s tough and stringy. I also add chunks of asparagus to omelets. Not exactly raw, but not fully-cooked either. ---
**Author:** ![shelbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@shelbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shelbo)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2006, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/9 "2006-06-08T00:10:05Z")
> [@Airman Doors](#): > > Raw meats are awesome. Beef, pork, bacon, chicken, it doesn’t matter. I have said it here before and I will say it again now: there is no meat that improves its flavor from cooking. It is always better raw. Raw chicken? Raw BACON? I, uh, will have to take your word for it! 😉 (Of course, a lot of people say that about the sushi I love, so. . . ., I’ll still just take your word for it!) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2006, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/10 "2006-06-08T00:13:59Z")
> [@shelbo](#): > > Raw chicken? Raw BACON? I, uh, will have to take your word for it! 😉 > > (Of course, a lot of people say that about the sushi I love, so. . . ., I’ll still just take your word for it!) I’ve had raw bacon countless times before. As long as it’s smoked and salted, I don’t believe there’s that much risk. I rather routinely gnaw on thick slices of slab bacon. To be honest, I’ve even had raw ground pork before (Mettwurst, anyone?) Anyhow, I’ve only had kohlrabi cooked – I didn’t realize you can eat it raw. I will have to try it that way next time. I particularly love Hungarian stuffed kohlrabi. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2006, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/11 "2006-06-08T02:16:43Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I particularly love Hungarian stuffed kohlrabi. Oooh, recipe please? ---
**Author:** ![Sierra\_Indigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2006, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/12 "2006-06-08T02:17:12Z")
I adore raw bacon, much to the disgust of my hubby. If ever we’re cooking bacon, I’ll always have a little piece myself before it goes into the pan. ---
**Author:** ![Cherry2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cherry2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cherry2000)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2006, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/13 "2006-06-08T02:21:34Z")
> [@Airman Doors](#): > > Raw meats are awesome. Beef, pork, bacon, chicken, it doesn’t matter. I have said it here before and I will say it again now: there is no meat that improves its flavor from cooking. It is always better raw. eeeeeee…I just don’t think I’m up for chicken sushi. Bird flavored jello! (where’s that barfy smiley we keep asking for?) ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2006, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/14 "2006-06-08T02:21:42Z")
> [@LiveOnAPlane](#): > > My wife and daughter enjoy eating small amounts of raw potatoes. Not enough for a side dish or anything, just a few pieces as a snack. Ew. When I was a kid one of my friends and his mom would eat raw potato with a little salt. They offered me some. Ew. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2006, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/15 "2006-06-08T02:50:03Z")
Oooh, I love sitting there with a peeled potato and a salt-shaker. (At least, I did when I was a kid. I imagine I still would.) ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2006, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/16 "2006-06-08T02:59:18Z")
> [@ouryL](#): > > Asparagus raw? :eek: I never had cooked asparagus until I was in my 30s. I had always had it raw, right out of the wild asparagus patch near where I grew up. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2006, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/17 "2006-06-08T13:19:54Z")
> [@Eureka](#): > > No. However, we have discovered new ways to cook asparagus… Try it with a few spears, topped with a slice of smoked mozzarella, wrapped in phyllo pastry with the ends sticking out, and baked until the phyllo is crisp. I had no idea, until last week, that oysters could be cooked. I’ve always had them, either fresh or smoked, as-is. I think I imagined they’d melt away like anchovetta if put into a stewpot. Boy, was I wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2006, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/18 "2006-06-08T13:24:41Z")
I love cooked celery. Especially parmagana. I substitue celery for rhubarb a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2006, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/19 "2006-06-08T13:50:55Z")
It freaks my wife out that I love raw peas. I learned to love them as a child. There’s nothing finer than taking a just-picked pod, splitting it open with your thumbnail, and raking out the sweet little peas within and crunching 'em right up. MMM. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2006, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732/20 "2006-06-08T14:42:03Z")
> [@Eva Luna](#): > > Oooh, recipe please? I’ll post it this evening. Promise. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-you-cook-that-eat-that-raw/359732.md?page=2)