Why did people used to overcook vegetables?

[Zsofia]

@WhyNot

Oh, try roasting them next time! I always thought I disliked Brussels Sprouts, until I tried cutting them in half (top to bottom, so each half has a bit of the stalky center to hold it together) and tossing them with some garlic (minced or whole cloves), sliced red onion, olive oil and rosemary. Roast in a hot oven (425?), tossing them periodically until they carmelize a bit and are soft enough to skewer - usually about 30 minutes. This is also great with added chunked sweet potato, carrots (or baby carrots), turnips, white potato, gobo (burdock root) - whatever rooty vegetables you have on hand (increase the cooking time for harder veg).

The flavor is completely different, deep and nutty and sweet. Awesome!

Hmm - I have some turnips from my CSA just sitting there in the fridge… They were good, though, I did them in garlic with pine nuts, and the bacon that was supposed to go with the pork chops (ugh) seemed like it fit the sprouts much better. It was a pretty good success except for Dad.