Pasta and Vegetable Critters

   Kids love being creative and unfortunately also have a love of playing with food.  But that doesn’t necessarily always mean it’s a bad thing.  When you have fussy eaters in the house, getting them involved in the meal preparation is often the key to successful and happy mealtimes.   That’s why these pasta and vegetable critters are a winner.  

   You’ll soon see how simple they are to create, how adventurous kids can be and you will be surprised (and they will even surprise themselves) at what vegetables they actually eat without realizing it.

• A selection of vegetables – we used green beans and sliced carrot rounds
  

       Tip: The secret here is to offer your children a variety of vegetables - even ones          you know they will turn their nose up at such as broccoli.  Without realizing it,            they will be picking up all sorts of shapes and sizes and using their imagination.          And that’s just the start.

• Raw, uncooked, spaghetti
  

       Tip: Choose gluten free if needed or any long thin pasta

• The aim is to poke the uncooked spaghetti all the way through raw vegetables so it doesn’t fall out whilst cooking.  
  
  
• Depending on the vegetable of choice, it may require adult assistance to pierce little slits or holes into each to help the spaghetti slide through.

• With the help of an adult, the raw critters are plunged into a pot of boiling water (sounds cruel doesn’t it?) to cook until the spaghetti is soft and the vegetables are perfect to eat.
  

• Let the kids design their dinner plate with their freshly cooked critters.  Remember to add your main meal addition whether it is crumbed chicken strips, meatballs or their favorite dish.
  

Eat and enjoy! Remember there are no rules except to allow the children to get involved and get creative.   

  This is just one fun way to help those fussy eaters in the family get a little more variety into their meals.

  Don’t forget though, there can often be a serious side to a child’s aversion to eating so don’t overlook it if your gut is telling you otherwise.