[West Ender]

I do exactly what your mother did, Steeljack, though I've never given much thought to why. I suppose it's because that's what my mother did before me. I wouldn't ever think of putting peas or beans into cold water but I never put potatoes or carrots into boiling water. I nearly always steam green vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and spinach as I can't stand them soggy and overcooked.