Culinary Poll #009: The King of Vegetables

[Daniel Rogov]

It may not be politically correct to say it aloud but not all vegetables are created equal. I doubt for example that many people would consider writing poetic odes or composing symphonies dedicated to the charms of the cabbage or the kohlrabi. What would you consider the king of vegetables – the one to which all other vegetables bow in humility – the one that is the most succulent, most sensual, most ……. well, most just about everything?

Please note, in the poll that follows, although tomatoes are actually a fruit, we'll consider them a vegetable. Also note that mushrooms of all kinds (including the noble truffle) are intentionally excluded from the poll.

[Matilda L]

Rogov, where is the POTATO?

"The Humble Potato", it is often called. But it doesn't have to be humble - it can be grand, elegant, impressive. It can be a meal in itself, or an accompaniment. It formed the basis of the diet for a large number of my ancestors.

I'd vote for the potato if it was on the list.

As it is, I've voted for the carrot, and would add the comment that there are more varieties of carrot than we see in the shops and I would like to try some of them.

Matilda
(who has just burned the carrots being prepared for Saturday evening dinner)

[Michelle Nordell]

I voted for Asparagus, but I think the king of vegetables is the artichoke. For me, it is the food of the gods.

[Daniel Rogov]

Mea maxima culpa. Leaving out artichokes and potatoes (and probably several more) reflects not on any disdain for those great vegetables but on what happens when I post before there is enough caffeine in my blood stream.

Best
Rogov

[Carl Eppig]

I voted for onions because they are the start of zillions of dishes, plus sauteed they are great on hamburgers. If we could vote for two the next would be tomatoes for much the same reasons.

[Shel T]

Tough call as my love for onions, spuds and asparagus is so great! But have to go with the humble ear of corn, think of it as the carpenter among the exalted, IMHO of course. Anything that's maed with/from and/or includes it is okay with me.

[Daniel Rogov]

I adore many of these vegetables but have no choice but in my vote for "the King" to cast my ballot for the asparagus. Difficult as all get out to match with wine but with either drawn butter, Hollandaise or vinaigrette, the most regal of vegetables.

Best
Rogov

[Stuart Yaniger]

R: dry muscat.

[Robert Reynolds]

Since the potato wasn't a choice, I went with the onion, since it is the workhorse of the lot.

[Yoni M]

A few responses here had me thinking of voting for the onion as well. But in my mind ubiquity is not tantamount to royalty.

I began eating asparagus only one year ago, and boy do I regret having being "repulsed" all of those years! Asparagus gets my vote. Besides, what other vegetable discriminates genetically?

[Bill Spohn]

Asparagus was tempting, particularly the white variety, but I think that tomato is the basis of so many different possible dishes and preparations that it has to get the nod for flexibility.

[Ryan M]

I'm with Matilda: for their fundamental value to (western) cuisine, their prevelance, and their versitility, the crown goes to potatos.

Of the available options, I voted for onions.

[Daniel Rogov]

Ah Bryan, but the potatoes were accepted into the European kitchen only in the 18th century. Even then for many years it was considered illegal to plant them in France and even Ireland, some believing the humble potato could cause leprosy, mental retardation, syphillis and other nasty things.

As to North America - corn was a far more important crop for the culture and even survival of the original inhabitants and later the settlers.

The potato as king of vegetables - mmmm..... perhaps something akin to making Rumplestilskin the emperor of Austria?

Ye faithful but smiling curmudgeon
Rogov

[Charlie Dawg]

I also have to say potato. As for the fact that it did not come into the culinary scene of Europe until only couple or so hundreds of years ago. I have to say, I wasn't around those days and can only judge by what i see today.

[Jenise]

No peas? No fresh beans? No artichokes or avocadoes? No summer or winter squash? No cabbage? What kind of a poll is this?

[Bill Spohn]

No summer ...... squash?

The kind you peel or the kind you don't....??

[Matilda L]

The potato as king of vegetables - mmmm..... perhaps something akin to making Rumplestilskin the emperor of Austria?

What is a king? People no longer see kings as divine and untouchable; the expectation of a king is that he will be a symbol of unity, purpose and harmony, a foundation for the identity of the people; he will be responsible in some measure for guidance, welfare and justice. Kings don't have to be remote and grand - the most successful and best loved of kings have had the admiration of their people and were recognised as being "at one" with their subjects.

The potato provides a backbone for many a simple meal, and when robed and crowned with the appropriate spices and sauces, can be an adornment to elaborate ones too. It provides easily digestible nourishment, is available widely across the face of the earth in many different climates, and is relatively inexpensive - fair parallels to the king's responsibilities for welfare and justice. The potato has been adopted by the cuisines of many cultures - illustrating, perhaps, a benign version of the imperial ambitions of kings.

I reckon the potato can be king. Long live King Potato.

As for Rumplestiltskin being King of Austria, if he is still able to spin flax into gold, he may be in demand as leader in a good many countries.

Matilda

[Dave R]

And don't forget that you can make vodka out of potatoes. You can't do that with brussel sprouts!

[Bill Spohn]

And don't forget that you can make vodka out of potatoes. You can't do that with brussel sprouts!

Well I suppose you COULD, but who would you get to drink it......

[James Roscoe]

Where are lima beans? Fresh lima beans are one of my assurances that there is a God!

[Jenise]

Where are lima beans? Fresh lima beans are one of my assurances that there is a God!

I kind of agree with you. At least in that frozen lima beans are one of my all time favorite breakfast foods--just a bowl of them, nuked, with a little butter. I've never seen a fresh lima bean.

[Stuart Yaniger]

You need to get out more.

[P Arvela]

The onions and asparagus were deuce so I had to vote for asparagus. I love it because after eating it my urine smells odd

[Jenise]

You need to get out more.

Was that to me or James?