How’s your summer going? They seem to go by faster every year don’t you think?
It’s already been two weeks since my daughter turned two and I’m seeing so many changes in her. It’s like she’s turned into to a full-on toddler over night. One of the biggest changes I’ve noticed is her acceptance of food.
I can’t tell you how much joy it gave me to watch her accept pretty much any and all foods as a baby. I could set anything down in front of her, from cereal, to fish to spicy Indian curry and she would plow through it, almost without fail.
These days, I notice she often refuses the more full-flavoured foods and goes for either plain grains (toast, wraps, cereal, rice) or fruit. Veggies and meats, more often than not are pushed aside.
Am I worried?
Absolutely not.
What I learned from developing and teaching a class for parents with ‘picky’ eaters is that a move into toddler-hood brings all sorts of changes; eating patterns being one of the biggest!
Toddler brains and bodies are growing incredibly fast and their need to access ‘quick-energy’ to fuel that growth takes over. Their preference for carbohydrate rich grains and sweet fruit (which all breakdown to quick-burning glucose in the body) is a strong biological drive!
Add to that, they’re becoming much more aware of their environment and how their interaction with it can impact their safety. This is when they learn hot things burn, falls can hurt and mosquitos sting! This is also the reason they start to reject foods that are bitter (vegetables, especially green ones!), spicy or sour. Nature has long taught us that some foods with these qualities can be unsafe or even poisonous.
Biology…go figure!
Don’t despair, though. Nurturing adventurous eating by continuing to expose toddlers to the same foods your family eats over and over will eventually win out. It can take up to 15-20 exposure for kids to accept new foods though, so parents, don’t give up!
My daughter has always loved zucchini. And now she doesn’t, really. So I’ll keep trying.
These zucchini bites were a moderately successful attempt. In the meantime, my hubs and I LOVED them and will keep making them for ourselves, thus exposing our daughter over and over.
These are a take on our popular Broccoli Cheese Patties which are almost universally loved by kids. A simple, quick recipe that combines some kid favourites (cheese, eggs and bread) with a boatload of zucchini. All in a fun bite-sized package. If you’re overloaded with zucchini or summer squash this season, I would absolutely recommend a double batch, because they can easily be frozen and they would make perfect additions to a kid’s school lunch come September.
Speaking of kids. These would be a great recipe to make with kids in the kitchen! Young kids can mix the ingredients and make the patties with their wee hands and older kids can grate the zucchini and cheese.
Don’t be fooled though. You’ll love these as much as any kid.
Erin If you're overwhelmed with zucchini, make a double batch. These will freeze and re-heat well.
Cheesy Zucchini Bites
Serves
Makes 16-28 bites
Prep time
15 minutes
Cook time
25 minutes
Total time
40 minutes Ingredients
Note
Directions
1.
Preheat oven to 375F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine zucchini and salt in a medium bowl and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes. Strain any excess water and transfer zucchini to the centre of a clean dish towel. Wrap the zucchini up and twist the towel to squeeze as much excess water from the zucchini as possible.
2.
Transfer zucchini back to bowl and add panko, eggs and cheese. Mix throughly and shape mixture into 2 inch round disks.
3.
Bake for 22-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Jackie says
These were so easy to make and very tasty – I could not stop eating them! They did not last long in our house!
Erin & Dara says
So great to hear! We always make a double batch and freeze half because you are totally right, they go fast!
Joanne says
How do you heat your frozen ones? In the oven? I want to do the same but want to avoid them getting soggy
Erin & Dara says
Yup, in the oven for sure.
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