Zucchini is that one vegetable that I think is a GREAT one for kids who are picky eaters to be introduced to.
It’s got a natural sweetness and flavor profile that is pleasant without being empowering. Plus it’s super easy to cook.
Here are 4 ways to get your kids to actually LOOK FORWARD to eating zucchini.
You just gotta get a bit creative in the presentation!
1) Make Zucchini Spaghetti!
You can use a spiralizer to turn zucchini into spaghetti noodles, or just peel it with a peeler into long “fettuccine” strips.
Next up, just saute some oil with a bit of garlic and shallot for 1 minute, add the zucchini noodles and cook for just a few minutes. Top with marinara and you’ll be amazed how it looks AND tastes like pasta!
2) Use the Italian trinity: Garlic, Parmesan and Lemon
Even if you don’t want to spiralize the noodles, just cooking them in garlic and olive oil, then finishing them with Parmesan and lemon will add a LOT of flavor.
That salty, creamy, acidic combo will get your kids to finally enjoy zucchini!
3) Grill it!
Slice zucchini into horizontal slices, add a bit of oil, salt and pepper and grill them for a few minutes on each side! You can then add these into sandwiches, with pasta or over rice with pita bread and hummus.
If your kids complain about vegetables and haven’t experienced them grilled, then they are missing out!
4) Roll it up!
Yes, you can “rollup” zucchini.
We even have a cooking class for our Kids Can Cook Inner Circle members where we salt the zucchini, spread it with a ricotta mixture and roll them up into what look like green zucchini flowers. Place these in a large casserole dish with marinara sauce and mozzarella and you have “zucchini lasagna rollups,” a tasty and low-carb meal!
If you want your kids to make zucchini in creative ways, try out a FREE 60-minute LIVE healthy dinner cooking class taught by our awesome Chef Teachers on Zoom: go to www.liftenrichment.com to claim your free lesson
Get Cooking,
Chef Eric Horwitz
