Let’s talk about zesty for just one moment shall we? What exactly does this one, almost onomatopoeic adjective mean in the world of food today? This word has gotten to be a bit declasse. I mean you would never say (for example) the frog legs at Chez Robert are zesty, or the steamed dumplings at Shin Shin are full of zest. Even if these food were overflowing with all things zesty, would you proclaim them to be zesty? Probably not. And let me tell you, that would be quite alright with me. Usually I’m pretty egalitarian when it comes to food. I definitely have my like and dislikes, but anyone else? To each his own. But zesty, I HATE zesty.
Recently I was out to dinner with my husband and another couple. Somehow the topic of red peppers were brought up, and I was ranting about how I dislike cooked red peppers in my food, they flavor the entire dish, ruin the nuances, and all of a sudden you’re stuck eating one giant red pepper in what should be a melange of crisp cooked vegetables. My fellow diners did not feel the same way, but still could understand my discontent. It was in this conversation that Zach proclaimed that usually dishes containing the rank red pepper, can easily be called the dreaded, the unspeakable, the base- ZESTY.
This got me to thinking about all of the dishes that I have eaten out that have been ruined by this little, overcooked vegetable. Corn Chowder- The mellow sweetness of the soup, overtaken by seemingly innocuous red flecks, the flavor of the soup sacrificed in favor of the piquancy of another vegetable. Home Fries- An ordinarily pleasant breakfast treat, smashed by the pungent flavor of this slippery pepper. Pasta Primavera- In this case an argument could be made that peppers belong in this springtime feast, but to me, it just becomes pepper pasta, rather than a delightful springtime harvest.
What do each of these meals have in common, besides the dreaded pepper? They could all be accurately assessed as zesty. This entry poses an interesting question. Which do I dislike more, the slippery, slimy, spicy, cooked red pepper, or its adjective of choice zesty? I think in fact I dislike them both the same.
