Relish Tray Nostalgia

When my brother and I were kids growing up, I’m  sure like most kids we didn’t really like to eat our vegetables… but our Mom was smarter than we were.  She somehow discovered that it wasn’t the vegetables, per se, but it was the preparation.  Why force us to eat them cooked when RAW veggies disappeared faster than you could say “vegetables”?

Just like Mom's "relish tray"

I will always fondly remember what my Mom always referred to as the “relish tray.”  It wasn’t a “tray” and it didn’t have any “relish” on it, but it was a glass dish that was a bit similar to the one in the picture, and Mom would fill it every night with raw vegetables.  She’d include all kinds:  broccoli stems, kohl rabi, carrots, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, radishes, sliced cabbage, cauliflower, peppers, green beans… and we always ate it right up!

This raw vegetable idea was reinforced with me when a friend of mine with three young kids, shared a similar story:   Her husband was preparing dinner and had just cut up vegetables for cooking.  She suggested that instead of cooking them, why not put them on a plate and set them on the table before dinner.  Hesitantly he agreed, and wouldn’t you know, the 3 kids fought over the different colored items, and that plate was completely empty by the time the main course was ready.

So, why not try a raw vegetable platter?  And don’t buy one of those pre-made half dried-out carrot and celery-stick platters from the grocery store.  Pick out some fresh items from the produce department or better yet, the farmer’s market, and take a little exploration into your own little relish tray world.  I think you might like it!

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