NEWPORT FOOD SCENE: How to spice up National Eat Your Vegetables Day in Newport County

When we think back on our moms telling us to eat our vegetables, it always felt like a threat, not loving advice.

Do we want to grow big and strong? Sure. Then eat those Brussels sprouts! May I be excused from the table? First finish your succotash. Do I have to eat all my peas? If you don’t, the kids in Asia will somehow starve.

Parents tend to say lots of things when it comes to dinner negations. But, now that we're grown and making our own meals, we know our mothers’ intentions were noble. Vegetables make us feel good. They’re full of are vitamins and minerals, fiber and phytonutrients.

The older we get, the more we feel just how much we need those things. So thanks, moms, for pushing the vegetable agenda. Our adult selves appreciate it.

This Friday is National Eat Your Vegetables Day. Hopefully you already have an appreciation for vegetables and a regular rotation of delicious, fresh produce with all your meals. If you don’t, National Eat Your Vegetables Day is an opportunity to make it happen. And, of course, there is an abundance of options here on the island for meeting your vegetable needs and pleasure.

Start at the farmers markets, where summer provides the freshest array of beautiful veggies, all harvested right here in Rhode Island. There’s a market nearly every day of the week. Catch the Jamestown market at the Recreation Center on Mondays. Then hit the the Aquidneck Growers Market on Wednesdays on Memorial Boulevard in Newport and again on Saturdays at the Embrace Home Loan parking lot in Middletown.

More: Want fresh produce and maybe live entertainment? Check out these Newport Co. farmers markets.

Also on Saturday, you can catch the Bristol Farmers Market on the beautiful Mount Hope Farm. Then hit the Tiverton market on Sundays at the middle school. Take your pick of where to go (or hit them all!).

And if you see a vegetable you're unfamiliar with, be sure to ask the growers how to eat or prepare them. They always have great suggestions on how to enjoy their vegetables.

Don’t forget the farm stands! Sweet Berry Farm stocks its produce section with its own harvests, along with other local delights. DeCastro’s in Portsmouth also has great locally harvested vegetables and is always worth the stop if you're looking for tasty summer veggies to put on your table. Then there’s Mello's Farm and Flower Center on Boyd’s Lane in Portsmouth with great local produce and plants.

Need a veggie fix, but prefer to drink them? Head to The Power of Juice on Aquidneck Avenue in Middletown and grab a Green Giant cold-pressed juice — you can really taste the kale. Or you can go to Raw on Broadway in Newport, which features a menu of all plant-based foods. Try the Born Redy juice made with beets, red cabbage, carrot, pear, cucumber, celery and lime.

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Don’t miss out on the good things happening at Drift Cafe on Thames Street. Start your day with The Greeny Smoothie, made with spinach, pineapple, banana, almond milk, honey and matcha, and add in some organic plant-based protein.

Energy, antioxidants and deliciousness all in one smooth blend. Healthy choices (and delicious ones) makes you feel good about yourself.

Of course, chefs throughout town are always bringing in the very best in locally grown vegetables. There’s no need to ever turn your nose up at an offering, because there’s so much creativity going into their preparation.

If you’d been given the succotash served at 22 Bowen’s as a child, you would have finished every bite and asked for seconds. The Snap Pea Salad at Guisto in Newport, prepared with tahini, mint and strawberry, will change your mind about peas. Give the Broccoli Slaw a try at the Black Pearl. It may just change your mind about broccoli (and slaw!)

The Grilled Asparagus at Newport Vineyards, which is topped with aged provolone, white balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

You’ll taste why “farm to table” makes such a difference. If you’re still not one to eat your Brussels sprouts, there’s always the options to eat plant-based food instead. Try a Guac Burger at Plant City X in Middletown — a veggie patty made with beans, vegetables and grains and topped with cilantro mayo, guacamole, tomato, red onion, and lettuce.

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When National Eat Your Vegetables Day comes Friday, consider it a gentle reminder from your mom to do the right thing. Eating your veggies is always the right thing. We know this in a different way now.

Throw in a bountiful summer harvest and a community of culinary professionals who love working with fresh vegetables and you’ve got yourself an ideal situation for celebrating veggies. So go enjoy! Splurge! And if you finish your carrots, then yes, you may be excused.

Dan Lederer is a Middletown resident with 30 years experience in the food service industry throughout New England. He continues to work locally behind the scenes within the industry and remains a devoted fan of all things restaurant and hospitality related. His column appears on newportri.com and Thursdays in The Daily News. Cheers!

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: How to spice up National Eat Your Vegetables Day in Newport RI County