Thursday, April 26, 2007

Our own little veggie challenge

We are a veggie-loving family. There are very few vegetables that I don't care for- the only two coming to the top of my mind is rutabaga and spaghetti squash. Andy pretty much likes them all, although he's not very fond of corn unless it's on the cob. And the kids... well, they are a work in progress. They love raw vegetables. Even vegetables that are normally served cooked (in my world anyway) like zucchini and asparagus- they will happily gobble them down if raw, but cook them up and they develop poison-like qualities. There are cooked vegetables that they enjoy, but there's got to be more! There has to be more for them than salad- not that salad is a bad thing.

The way I figure, there's got to be a way to prepare almost every vegetable that my kids will enjoy them. I've been meaning to get myself organized to do a vegetable challenge for them, but just haven't gotten around to it. Now that we're nearing the beginning of the growing season, I've decided that this is it. We are going to learn to eat vegetables in as many ways as possible. Our original inspiration was a book by Lois Ehlert, called Eating The Alphabet. It's a wonderful children's book, and I thought it would be a blast to go through vegetables A to Z and try some from each letter. Then a week or so ago I stumbled upon this blog, The Great Big Vegetable Challenge, and I knew this was my opportunity. And with asparagus hitting the markets now, we are beginning at the beginning. A for asparagus, and I am determined that I will find a way that my children enjoy asparagus. First up is going to be soup, and then there will be at least two other methods of preparation before we determine a winner.

I will report back with my findings. In the meantime, go check out what picky Freddie has been eating at The Great Big Vegetable Challenge. And maybe later today there will be cookies too. One can always hope.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I love asparagus. SO good. My favorite way is roasted. If you don't do it for too long, it stays a little crispy. Maybe they'd like it that way. Have you ever done asparagus casserole? So simple...it uses canned asparagus. If you want a really easy recipe for it, I'll ask my dad what it is he does...I know it includes asparagus, 1 egg, saltine crackers and cheese. That may be all.

Erika W. said...

Mmmm. Roasted IS best. Oddly, even though to me it seems to sweeten any veggie, they really don't seem to like roasted veggies.

I was thinking though that I may try roasting it anyway- but with some bacon?

I'd love to hear about the casserole!

Anonymous said...

Its great to embark on a challenge like this - the kids will see it as a game.
So long as its all kept fun and adventurous...
Freddie is still a picky boy but one that eats and tries and now even asks for certain veggie recipes. Who would have guessed he would respond so positively.
By the way - when you get to B - try beetroot and chocolate cake - its fabulous.

Erika W. said...

Thanks for dropping by Charlotte! I have marked down several of you rrecipes to give a try- including that cake!

I think my kids will step up to the challenge... what I'm hoping to do is to try and get myself to think out of the box a little more. Your recent chard fritters come to mind. I would never think to put chard in fritters! And the courgette in quesadillas. We love quesadillas already-so adding the courgettes should be a breeze. (And for the non-Brits here, courgettes are our zucchini.)

Alanna Kellogg said...

Hi Erika ~ You knew I'd be all over this, right?!! Good luck with the new venture. PS You site is looking GREAT.

Erika W. said...

Lol Alanna! And just where do you suppose I could find some great veggie recipes? :-)