If there was a vegetable with a stigma, it would be kale. The over popularization of this tiny green leaf has made people feel a need to stay away from this vegetable. Many Spoon writers have already touched on this with articles about the basics, from what kale is, to kale’s growing popularity getting out of control , to healthier vegetable alternatives. In defense of kale, people love it for it’s versatility. There are many ways you can cook it. Whether it is substituting it for lettuce in salads or making kale chips with olive oil, it serves as the healthy treat people can’t stop talking about. With its cult-like followers, kale is a hit with students and families across the United States who just can’t get enough. Yet, America’s huge obsession with kale needs to come to an end once and for all. There are plenty more vegetables out there who need some TLC.
Photo courtesy of collegecandy.com
It doesn’t help that celebrities are continuously raving over this leafy green. In Beyoncé’s music video 7/11, which was first posted on YouTube in November of 2014 it has received over 205 million views. At the beginning of the video, Beyoncé is seen wearing a sweatshirt with word “KALE” written the front. This act of obsession has gone too far, for it’s appearance on t-shirts shows how America can’t leave kale behind. Though stars can make it popular to their millions of fans on Instagram and Twitter, it’s finally time to leave behind the era of the overused popular green for something new. “Kale this” and “kale that” is now forever in the past.
In this month of May alone, there are many other vegetables that are in season aside from the stigmatized kale. Kale should not be hailed so highly and as a part of the foodie population it is time that we make some new changes to the vegetables we eat and enjoy. Quit obsessing over that kale and resort to the other great vegetables May has to offer. So, instead of reaching for kale as the first vegetable of choice at the grocery store, here are the vegetables you should be consuming this month:
- Broccoli
- Carrot
- Cauliflower
- Leeks
- Lettuce
- Onion
- Potato
- Pears
- Radish
- Scallions
- Spinach
- Swiss Chard
- Turnips
Photo courtesy of mazamag.com
The possibilities of these vegetables are endless. The vegetables are not only healthy and delicious by themselves (or even raw) but paired all sorts of different proteins and sauces, you’ll never get bored. Some vegetables, like carrots, leeks, and turnips to name a few, can be made as both savory and sweet creations. The realm of vegetables is wide open, now’s the opportunity to explore and enjoy them while they’re in season.