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Dear Chef Meglio, I’ve been told I don’t eat enough veggies. Problem is, I hate vegetables. Do you have any tips that can make my veggies taste better? Thanks in advance, Tina.

Tina, there are about a million and one ways to prepare all kinds of vegetables, so chances are that you will at least enjoy a few different varieties. One main thing you should consider when purchasing vegetables is to buy them when they are in season for optimal flavor and texture. Also, don’t overcook vegetables because they loose flavor, texture, and nutrients, which could be one reason that you don’t enjoy them as much as you could.

(Keep this in mind. Nutritional value already begins to decline immediately at harvesting due to travel time from the farm to the store, light, heat, moisture etc…so you have to cook them rather quickly after purchasing them.) Another thing you should do is to try some new vegetables that you haven’t had before.

For example, instead of sauteed spinach, try some swiss chard or pea shoots. Instead of green beans, try some Chinese long beans. Use baby broccoli, which is sweeter and easier to prepare than regular broccoli. Japanese eggplant is generally less bitter than regular eggplant. Wild mushrooms such as oyster, crimini, shiitake and portobello can be prepared the same way that domestic white mushrooms are prepared, yet they are far superior in flavor. Another way to make your vegetables more exciting is to change the way that you cook them.

Instead of boiling beets, roast them as you would potatoes in the oven for a deeper and more concentrated flavor. Instead of steaming asparagus, brush them with a little olive oil, season them lightly with salt, pepper and a little Parmesan cheese, and bake them in the oven. Corn, for example, doesn’t always have to be boiled or grilled.

Shave the kernels off of the cob, and saute them with garlic, jalapenos, red peppers, red onion and a little chili powder. Plain and boring vegetables can be turned into culinary delights with just a few additions and some creative cooking. For specific recipes, please write me at FITNESS HEAVEN again.

Dear Chef Meglio, what exactly does organic mean, and how do you know if a product is organic or not?

Generally speaking, organically grown foods (not just produce, but poultry, meats, and fish as well) haven’t been treated with any chemicals, pesticides or fertilizers. Farms that grow organic products should be certified by the state or an independent organization in order to be allowed to call their products “organic”. Recently, however, there have been reports of farms claiming to sell organic products when in fact they were not.

So when purchasing organic goods, ask the produce managers at the supermarket or the vendors at the farmers market who certifies the goods, and what the certification requirements are. Keep in mind that organic products are usually more expensive than traditionally grown ones as there is a relatively limited supply of certified organic goods. Happy shopping!