Veggies and Kids

I can't tell you how many moms out there ask me weekly "How can I get my kids to eat more vegetables." As I've told you before I try to help and give as many ideas as I can, but I'm the luckiest mom in the world when it comes to my son eating his vegetables, and eating habits in general. Monkey has never met a veggie he doesn't like, and that leaves me wide open to serve them anyway I can as often as I can. But I sympathize with the moms out there that have a nightly battle getting their little ones to eat their vegetables. So when I was lucky enough to enjoy the bounty from someone else's garden in the form of a huge zucchini, I was totally inspired to attempt to help those of you who need as many ways to get anything green you can into your child's stomach! How about some zucchini fries? And better yet, oven baked zucchini fries? And since kids can not resist anything you can "dip", some homemade ranch on the side? These remind me the fried veggies you can get at any street festival or county fair but better for you, and the kids, because the are baked not fried. I will admit I don't have that many recipes that use zucchini either, so I'm excited to have another one. If your kids turn their noses up at anything green, trick them with a new kind of fry. After all, tricking them is just another form of creative parenting!

Baked Zucchini Fries
1 large or 3 medium zucchini
1/4 c. flour
2 eggs, beaten
2 c. panko bread crumbs
Cooking spray
Sea Salt

Ranch Dip
1 c. mayo
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 tsp dill weed
1/2 tsp parsley flakes
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
Salt and Pepper to taste

To make dip mix all ingredients together and chill until serving. Preheat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Slice zucchini in half lengthwise. (The easiest way is to cut off each end, stand it up and slice down.) Cut each half into 1/4 inch "planks" and then each plank into 4-5 slices to make "fry" shapes. Place zucchini fries in large plastic bag. Add flours and shake. Dip each fry into the egg and then breadcrumbs. Place on cooking sheet and spray lightly with cooking spray. Bake for 12 minutes. Flip and continue baking for 12 minutes more. Turn broiler on and broil until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Be careful--they will burn easily! Season with sea salt. Serve with ranch dip.

 ~Join me for Tasty Tuesday on Formula Mom~

Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box Aug. 21, 2012
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