Pickles by Brian Crane for April 13, 2020

That’s how I got my mom to stop making sauerkraut.

speaking of disliked casseroles, Carmen — the grandaunt of the titular character of “Baldo” — sure cannot take a hint that some of her family dislikes her lengua casserole

That’s how my brother, Howard, got Mama to quit cooking things I liked.

“But, Mama, I like cherry pie.”

“Doesn’t matter; Howard doesn’t.”

Heck, she might anyway. The rule where I’ve ever lived† was that the meal would be nutritious, and something that most folks will enjoy or at least tolerate. And if you dislike something, you may have a “no thank you” helping which is about a spoonful. If you don’t finish your meal, there will be nothing else to eat — including desert — until the next meal.

† My mother’s rule wasn’t called “no thank you helping” but the effect was identical. As an adult, I adopted my spouse’s name for the system. Eventually, it results in young adults who have experienced many different foods… and been fed a nutritious diet too. Most of them go on to be adventurous eaters for the rest of their lives, though not all.

Broccoli casserole sounds good, but if the broccoli isn’t cooked properly and the other ingredients aren’t well matched then it could be a disaster!

Hope it works, Nelson!

Tried that with my mother, she kept trying to feed me kale and squash.

LOL! Smart kid!

Makes me think of a certain US president’s most memorable statement: “I’m president of the United States, and I’m not eating any more broccoli”.

My parents grew up during the depression. You learned to eat everything. Point being food was not wasted because it was hard to get for a lot of folks. We should all learn to enjoy and be grateful for what we have.

An interesting reaction that the cat has in the final panel!

I do not think that Nelson should have said that last sentence.

LOL, Good one!

Hard to believe broccoli is related to something as delicious as mustard!

Well you got a honest answer grandma

My philosophy is that there is food that is good for you, and food that tastes good. Rarely is it the same thing.

Smart little boy. Broccoli is okay first day, second day :-p

I dated a girl who was a terrible cook. Eventually, I volunteered to cook for her. I got tired of lying, lol.

Years after our kids grew up and out of the house, my wife finally found out how they felt about her tuna casserole!

I have always wondered, like Chef Nick Stellino about the artichoke, who first looked at broccoli and thought, “I think I could eat that.”

Out of the mouths of Babes

She obviously doesn’t make it with Velveeta Cheese, Ritz crackers and butter like we do.

Laughed Out Lout!

Smart kid!

Good luck with that, kid.

I hated green beans as a child, and I still do. There’s nothing you can do to a green bean to make it taste good. Even dipping it in chocolate won’t help. Just ruins the chocolate.

Needs more cilantro and jalapenos.

Best approach I ever heard, is to understand that the kid doesn’t like a new food YET! Give it time, and taste evolves: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/karen-le-billion-french-children-eat-anything

Now you’ve done it, Nelson – you’ve got me craving broccoli casserole!

As we get older, our taste buds evolve. Things like ham-bone pea soup or liver & onions that I’d rather starve than eat as a kid, I grew to love as an adult.

I still can’t stand the smell, let alone eat frozen fish sticks or Philadelphia scrapple!

As a kid, my mom started giving us Geritol LIQUID. It was absolutely the worst thing, that was supposed to be good for us. I finally told her, “Please don’t make us take that anymore.” She stopped. RIP Mom.