Me and potatoes

I am sorry I've not been on here for ages but been so busy. I went into hospital in November. When I came out it was my birthday. Then it was preparing for Christmas. That was over and now it's new year. Here we are in 2024 already. 

I recently posted this as an article on LinkedIn as part of my sharing experiences as an Aspie. I thought I'd share it on here too.

I have recently read a memoir about a mother of four autistic sons and how she fought for the learning and education they needed to be able to speak and learn for their futures. In it, she mentions that one of her eldest sons explained why he never liked mashed potato for years. It made me think of my feelings towards mashed potato and other forms of potato. I have never really liked mashed potato as it reminded me of school dinners when it was lumpy. It put me off it. If I ever had it at home or elsewhere, I would mash it up with a fork to make sure there were no lumps. I still don't like it now, but if I have to have it then I will have something else with it eg baked beans or tomato ketchup to give it flavour. Maybe I think it is too bland. Or it could be that on its own I feel it tastes too raw. I don't mind it on cottage pie or shepherds pie. Possibly because as it is on top of meat, the meat gives it flavour. When my mum made it for us, she would mash it with our spread before layering it on the meat. This also gives it more flavour. I will eat boiled or new potatoes but like mashed potato I have to have something else with it to give it more flavour. With boiled potatoes I used to like them in a casserole, especially with herbs and stock. My mum used to cook a lovely chicken casserole and it made the potatoes more palatable. With new potatoes I have some of my sunflower spread, or I might dip it in beetroot juice if I have beetroot with them. Again it might be because I think the taste is either bland or too raw.

I don't know if this is an autistic thing, or other people who are non-autistic feel the same way as me. Please let me know.