THE RELUCTANT GOURMET COOKING COMMUNITY

[ninjabut]

I was supposed to get a HUGE garden space right near our spec ed class to turn into a garden, but that fell through (long story)
I was given 3 (or more) raised boxes at my principal's office to work with. We'll have to take a bus to get there, but eventually we'll have a kitchen to work in also.
I have to get things planted, like last week!
What are your kid's favorite winter veges that might be good to plant?
So far I have received from donations a dozen strawberry plants and about 6-7 hubbard squash plants. That seems like a LOT, so I'll probably grow a couple at home.
Any good ideas? Nancy

[ninjabut]

We've planted lettuces, radishes, cilantro, chard, mustard, carrots and spinach.
That's all I can think of.
I didn't have much time or $ to plan this garden. I know the hubbard squash and probably the strawberries won't make it through the winter, but, hey, they were donated! At least we can watch them grow for another month or so.
We'll hopefully have a kitchen set up in a month or so to teach some cooking with these organic yummies! I'll have to come up with recipes to add these thing to, not have them be the star of the day, cause these guys are so spoiled, half of them won't eat anything green unless it's a gummy bear!
Suggestions?

[tullius]

Most kids will eat carrots if you add sugar to them! Either glazed or put in muffins or cake. Maybe carrot salad,(grated carrots, raisins, walnuts with a cole slaw dressing, some put pineapple in it)

In my experience kids object to the texture of cooked spinach. (Though Popeye was enough to convince me & my brother to eat canned spinach! Yuck, the power of TV) Maybe try just blanching & chopping & adding to some kind of creamy dip or spread. I make it with any combo of soft cheeses like cottage, cream, ricotta, feta. Process till smooth then add the spinach & whatever other flavors they'll eat. Parm, onion, chives, garlic, basil, nuts. Add sour cream or yogurt to loosen it up if you want dip.

I also use this basic spread to roll up in phyllo dough (spanakopita) Kind of tough with kids but great on an english muffin too.

Maybe lettuce boats or rolls depending on what kind of lettuce you have. Fill up with tuna or chicken or egg salad or some kind of cold grain salad like couscous or tabbouleh.

They might surprise you. A lot of times kids are willing to try stuff if they help & see & taste everything that goes in a dish. Suspicious little buggers always think you're trying to sneak something in their food. Okay sometimes I am! :)

[ninjabut]

Thanks for the good ideas! :P I might even get my co-workers to try some veges! LOL
They think I'm a nut case for the amounts of fruits and veges we consume! It's not even a huge amount! Just what the Dr orders! NT