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It’s easy to eat green!
Spring meals make us think of light foods, bright colors and, of course, the season’s new crop of fresh market produce.
Unfortunately, as we’re well aware, younger diners may not always share grown-ups’ enthusiasm for spring chard or the perfect stalk of asparagus. Not to worry! We’ve rounded up some of our favorite food bloggers’ most kid-friendly veggie offerings: from purple rice to rainbow-hued skewers, these flavor-packed and colorful recipes will encourage even the toughest veg hater to reach for seconds.
Baked broccoli tots
Not all kids adore cruciferous vegetables, but who doesn’t love dipping a crispy, golden tater tot into a bowl of ketchup? The “taters” in Gimme Delicious Food‘s healthful bite-sized babies are, in fact, broccoli, but shhh — we’ll just call them green potatoes.
Mason jar salad days
Packing pretty much anything into a cute Mason jar is a sure-fire way to get kids to try it — and these jarred takes on this classic salad, by A Sweet Pea Chef, certainly fit the bill. Crunchy with fresh veggies and protein-packed with chicken and chickpeas, these make filling lunches and grab-and-go meals. Just give ‘em a shake before digging in.
Noodling around with zucchini
These Asian-inspired noodle bowls by Iowa Girl Eats are an easy way to try new flavors with a healthful twist: The “noodles” are in fact spiralized zucchini, which makes them gluten-free, too! Creamy almond butter and the crunch of nuts and sesame seeds makes it a filling meal in itself. (Try subbing in sunflower butter and crispy rice crackers if nuts are a no-go.)
It’s a wrap!
Think lettuce is boring? Think again – these tropic-inspired, fiesta-colored wraps by Lemon Tree Dwelling, with their sweet flavors of mango and honey, are anything but! Get the whole family involved in putting these fun packets together; pack the lettuce leaves separately for a fun hands-on lunch, too.
Purple passion for veggies
Youngsters love to be surprised by unexpected takes on their fave foods – and how much funkier can you get than psychedelic purple rice? Even better, the “rice” in Chef de Home’s Tex-Mex inspired side dish is actually purple cauliflower, made extra zesty with lime, cilantro and green peas.
14-carrot fries
Do your kiddos love French fries? If you’re like most nutrition-conscious parents, you likely limit this not-so-healthful snack to an occasional treat – but no longer! Made from sweet carrots and flavored with savory garlic and Parmesan, Kale Me Maybe’s nutritious baked “fries” can be on your family table as often as their taste buds desire.
Ratatouille pizza
Remember the cute little chef-mouse from Pixar’s Ratatouille? If your family enjoyed the movie, they’ll be extra excited to try this yummy, flaky tart (or call it a pizza!) from renowned food blogger Smitten Kitchen. It’s layered with rounds of eggplant, zucchini, peppers and squash – but between the puff pastry and tomato sauce, they won’t even know the veggies are there!
Egg-citing asparagus muffins
If there’s one veggie that’s a spring staple, it’s new asparagus. Tender and packed with folate and vitamin C, it pairs beautifully with eggs for a brunch classic from Tasty Thin. If your tots aren’t crazy about munching on green stalks, chop it up in these cute, no-utensils-required egg cups oozing with melty cheese.
Rainbow veggie skewers
As weather warms up, dusting off that grill is always a hit for al fresco family meals. Get everyone to pitch in with threading Gimme Some Oven’s bright rainbow kebabs as they learn their colors, then just toss them on the grill for an easy but beautiful-looking side.
Fruit and veggie popsicles
Vegetables in ice cream? Why not? If there’s a way to get kids to eat something, it’s to freeze it in a popsicle stick, and Live Simply’s three takes on deviously delish chilled treats look and taste like fruit Popsicles but hide nutritious veg inside.
This story originally published in 2017 and was updated in March 2021.
