Is it just me or do you guys get stuck in veggie ruts? I definitely do, especially with the kids. The time finally came where I couldn’t bear to put one more broccoli piece or frozen pea on their plates. Don’t get me wrong, those are great ones and some of our staples, but I really was itching to switch it up. So yesterday we all got into the kitchen together and destroyed it.
Ha.
But true.
The girls (Hailey, 3 1/2 years and Kaitlyn, 13 months at the time of this experiment) played and I cooked and we had taste tests after each round. I recorded everyone’s opinions and we really had a fun time!
Here’s how it went…
5 Unique Vegetables to Try with Your Kids
[Tweet “What did the kids and I think of these 5 unique vegetables? See our taste test!”]
We started off with a vegetable I’d had before but it had been a while.
Parsnip!
The method: Peel, cut into fry shapes and toss in olive oil. Place on a baking sheet in a single layer, sprinkle them with kosher salt and bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes, flipping halfway. When browned, pull them out and serve warm with ketchup.
Mom: Loved them!
Hailey: They’re OK.
Kaitlyn: Loved them!
Next up…
Radishes!
The method: Wash, trim and slice into small wedges. Saute in olive oil over medium heat until slightly brown, about 12 minutes. Sprinkle with kosher salt and serve warm.
Mom: Liked them.
Hailey: Did not like them.
Kaitlyn: Loved them!
Next up…
Golden Beets!
The method: Wash, trip and wrap in tin foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until tender. Peel, dice and serve.
Mom: Hated them (I try, but I just can’t with beets!)
Hailey: Hated them.
Kaitlyn: Liked them (ate her pieces but didn’t ask for more)
Next up…
Yucca Root!
The method: Peel and slice thinly. Pan fry 4-5 minutes per side in oil (I used coconut). Remove and set aside to drain. While hot, sprinkle with Kosher salt.
*Tips: Use a quality mandolin to make turning vegetables into chips easier and tastier!*
Mom: LOVED them. Really, loved them and will definitely make again.
Hailey: Liked them.
Kaitlyn: Too tough for her 6 teeth to handle, but Koda enjoyed her pieces.
Next up…
Kale chips!
The method: open bag? Ha, if I wasn’t being lazy I’d totally make Gina’s Cool Ranch Kale Chips (my favorite), but this bag was on sale and they were some of the best pre-made kale chips I’ve had!
Mom: Loved them.
Hailey: LOVED them! Like, ate the entire bag herself and asked for more.
Kaitlyn: Liked them OK, but were crumbly.
Overall our time in the kitchen was fun and the girls liked playing the sample game. It felt good to stretch my boundaries and try out some new vegetables, with surprising results. One more I need to toss in there is kraut.
I know, I talk about it all the time but it is so good. I’m not the only one who thinks so either. Kaitlyn ate it up and asked for more, as did Hailey. It surprised me for sure, but we all think you should try it- delicious!
What’s the best ‘unusual’ vegetable you’ve ever cooked?
Did you like it?
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
What a fun idea!! I could almost see this being a game with a toddler to expose them to new tastes and flavors!
Giselle says
My son LOVES Sauerkraut right now. Oh and kale chips. Can’t get enough so we buy the big bag from Costco. We’ve tried all the other veggies you mentioned too and some are a hit and miss with him. I love them all though! Another one he sort of liked was a turnip just because he had watched a show that had turnips in it. Oh and rutabagas. I love them but he wasn’t too sure. Colored cauliflower are fun too 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Love colored cauliflowers! I’ll admit though… I have no clue what to do with a turnip!
Jennifer says
My son loves plantains. We typically just boil them and he will gobble them up. Sometimes we fry them too, but he prefers them boiled. He also eats yuca too. Our favorite way to eat it (at home) is cut into large french fry spears and then boil. It is really good to eat with meat/pork/chicken that has a bit of a sauce. But, when we go out I love fried yuca!
Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life says
Great ideas! I’m having the hardest time getting Lucas to eat much of anything these days and it can get SO frustrating. He was the best eater when he was younger! Gotta love these kiddos keeping us on our toes 😉
Brittany Dixon says
K has been hit or miss on foods since the beginning! She likes to keep me on my toes after H made it so easy on me 😉
Heather says
Love this idea! We don’t branch out nearly often enough and I’d love to get my kiddos to try new things. One thing I’ve always loved on salads is Jicama, and I always forget what a good crunchy snack it is.
Brittany Dixon says
I’ve never bought jicama! I need to because I’ve had it out and you’re right- delicious!
Kathy says
What a fun idea! The Parsnip!! Looks awesome–you have convinced me to give that one a try!!
Brittany Dixon says
DO it- I think they are so easy. A little earthy, but not as much as beets. Plus I love anything I can make into fries 🙂
Natalie @ The Ravenous Mommy says
Love the kiddos reactions! Kaitlyn is a good eater!
I’ve been really into beets lately, they are perfect peeled, cut into 1 – 2 inch chunks and then roasted at 400 for about 40 minutes with just salt & pepper. Some of the beets get caramelized and that is the best part 🙂 Maybe you would like them that way?
Brittany Dixon says
I love the suggestion and I’ll try it, but I feel like I have tried beets every which way and just can’t make myself enjoy them! 🙂
Jessica says
My husband is that way about peppers! He says all the time that they LOOK so good but he can’t stand them. We’ve tried every color, cooked, uncooked, etc and he just does not like them.
I like beets a lot especially on salads and even I think they taste a bit like dirt so I totally get why people dislike them, lol. 🙂
Colette says
You have to try parsnips coated in parmesan, awesome!
Just cut into strips, blanch for a few minutes, drain, while still steaming toss them into a bowl containing a mixture of flour, parmesan and seasoning and coat them well. Put oil on a baking sheet and heat in the oven, transfer the parsnips onto the sheet once hot and bake for about 40-30mins, turning once. Enjoy!
Brittany Dixon says
That. Sounds. Amazing. Totally trying that next time- thanks!!
Colette says
Here is the link to the recipe with all the measurements and timings, its a Delia Smith recipe. They are lush!
http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/type-of-dish/party-food/accompaniment/parmesan-baked-parsnips.html
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
Love these ideas!!! I wonder if I could get my nephew to try some of these 🙂
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
I LOVE those kale chips too! I also happen to be a big fan of parsnips and radishes! I really don’t like red beets, but I have found that golden beets are much more enjoyable to me.
Al says
You, of all people, don’t like beets? Whhhhaaaat? I love every kind and every way. The girls too.
I have never eaten much less tried or seen a yucca. But I like the idea of parsnips like fries. And I can’t seem to make kale chips correctly. Maybe I should buy that brand you did?
And, yes, we all fall in to ruts. Carrots, peppers, beets, asparagus and brocolli are our defaults. All good for you, but repetitive still.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
We are not all that adventurous when it comes to veggies in my house! I did see somebody on Food Network use celery root the other day, and I am intrigued. She roasted it up and put it on top of a salad.
Kristen @ The Concrete Runner says
I’m glad I’m not the only one who despises beets! They literally taste like dirt. Seriously. I can’t even. Ugh. Thanks for the ideas – we might have to try some of those!
Lauren Brennan says
Fun idea and great post! I definitely get into broccoli/pea/carrot ruts- thanks for the inspiration!
Lauren says
Loved this post!!! I love parsnips and usually just roast with other veggies but I totally need to do the fry method. C watched me make my salad the other day and said she wanted everything but the lettuce haha. She can’t get down with that yet unless it is spinach in a smoothie. I’ve gotta find that kraut and kale chips! We don’t have a whole foods near us though sadly 🙁 Have you tried pickled beets from a jar? Ridiculously good especially in a salad with some gorgonzola. Oh and I’ve never had radishes cooked! Growing up we always ate them sliced up fresh with salt sprinkled on them. Happy 4th weekend!!!
Laura @FitMamaLove says
What great ideas! I’ve never thought to cook radishes, I always just serve them raw and the kids are “eh” about them.
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
I think the taste testing is such an innovative way to get the girls excited about eating healthy! I know I certainly could use more vegetables in my diet, and I think it is great to start them young!
Elizabeth says
Fun! How do you eat the kraut?
emma @ be mom strong says
Where did you find that Kraut? My almost 3 yr old loves veggie chips- especially the green beans! I will have ot try the radishes… I always thought they were too pungent for them!
Pamela Gammill says
All good ideas! Beets do have an earthy flavor, but they are so good for you. My favorite way to eat beets is in a raw slaw. I grate beets, carrots, and apples. Then I add some finely chopped walnuts and dress with an orange vinaigrette. I could eat this every day. I also love them juiced with carrots and apples. You can adjust the amount of beets to your liking. I usually use one beet to 4 carrots and one apple.
Dawn says
Yuca.
Not yucca.