I think there’s a lot of truth to the saying that opposites attract.  While similarities and compatibility are important in a relationship, our differences keep things interesting!  Especially in an omnivore/vegetarian relationship, with the obvious difference being that one of us eats animals while the other doesn’t.

In our particular relationship, I consider myself to be extremely lucky in that hubby doesn’t mind eating vegetarian and/or vegan food.  When other people find out about our food differences, hubby usually gets a sympathetic look from other meat eaters, as in “I feel so sorry for you.”  But what they don’t know, and what he often doesn’t share, is that he doesn’t mind going meatless.  If I cook it, he eats it without complaint.  Simple as that.  In fact, we’ve taken two week-long camping trips in the past couple of years and I was in charge of food for both trips, meaning hubby went veg during those trips, no problem. He rocks!

I’d have to ask hubby to be sure, but I can’t help but think that one of the reasons he doesn’ t mind eating vegetarian is because I don’t hassle him about eating meat. He respects my food choices, so I respect his.  I do the majority of the cooking, so we definitely eat completely vegetarian meals at home most of the time.  I don’t have a “no-meat-in-the-house” rule.  The rule I do have is, “If you want meat as part of your meal, you have to cook it yourself.”  And hubby does just that when his meat cravings get too strong to avoid.  He’ll grill burgers or something… a veggie burger for me and a hamburger for him.  Or, when we go out to eat, hubby will order a meat dish and I order veg.  It works for us.  But the majority of the time, we’re a vegetarian household.  I usually don’t have to worry about opening up my fridge to see meat staring back at me.  It happens occasionally, but not often.

In all honesty, one of the biggest challenges I’ve had in cooking for us as a couple is a problem anyone–even an omnivorous couple–could have… and that’s our personal preferences for vegetable foods.  I love squash and hubby hates it.  He’ll only eat it in zucchini bread and pumpkin pie!  I don’t know how many squash-based recipes I’ve drooled about yet passed over making because it seemed like a hassle to peel, roast and cook it just for my consumption.  It’s been particularly frustrating lately because we’ve received so many different squash varieties from our CSA this year.  I’ve made lots of zucchini bread but have also given lots of squash away because I just can’t eat it all myself.  One recipe I did try and LOVED was Vegan YumYum’s recipe for Delicata Squash Bisque…. OMG!  If you love squash, you HAVE to follow that link and try that recipe.  It is too yummy for words!  I felt so sinful and so selfish making and eating it because I knew hubby wouldn’t have any (to his credit, he did taste a spoonful and said it was good yet admitted he didn’t want anymore) … it was all for me!!

Other “problem” foods for us have been bell peppers.  I love ‘em, he hates ‘em.  I’ve passed up so many delicious-looking recipes containing bell peppers… or sometimes I make them and omit the peppers.  But I can’t fault hubby for not liking certain things.  I have my dislikes too.  I’m not a big fan of celery, hot peppers or green olives.

Without a doubt, most people are fascinated by the fact that hubby and I can live harmoniously as a vegetarian/omnivore couple.  But the obvious food difference isn’t what keeps things interesting for us.  It’s our more subtle food preferences that challenge us more than anything.