Broccoli Bites for Kids Part 2


So here I am again trying to get your kids to eat vegetables.

Why are children programmed to hate vegetables?

Maybe because our mothers forced us to eat our vegetables.

"If you don't finish your broccoli, you get no dessert".
"If you don't eat your vegetables you will never grow".
"Children in India are starving, finish your Brussels sprouts".
"You'll get scurvy, eat the sweet potato".

This was my house, maybe yours was different.

I love vegetables now, and if I can get my husband to eat them after 20 years of marriage (a large child), and love them, I might add, then you can get your kids to at least like some vegetables.

In 2011 I posted Broccoli Bites for Kids.

By the response, you'd think I had found a cure for cancer.

I received 100's of emails (I am not kidding) from moms thanking me for getting their kids to eat broccoli.

I was confused, but went with it.
Since that recipe, I have created different versions of the little patties.

There is no frying involved, healthy baking only, and this recipe even gets the brats to not only eat broccoli, but a sweet potato!
Holy Mother of God! Not that horrible orange thing!

These are so freakin' good, the heck with the kids.
Make these for your upcoming holiday parties!

You can dip them in ranch dressing (but please don't), or a yogurt with cilantro and harissa sauce (maybe not for the kids).

They freeze beautifully and are a healthy snack.


Broccoli Bites for Kids Part 2: makes about 15 patties

2 baked sweet potato, flesh scooped out
large head of broccoli
salt & pepper
3 eggs
3/4 cup of seasoned dried breadcrumbs
1 1/2 cups of sharp shredded cheddar or cheese of your choice
fresh parsley & cilantro (kids don't usually like cilantro, just a warning)


Steam the broccoli in salted water for 4 minutes with the lid on, then drain the water.
Remove the broccoli and transfer to a cutting board.
Chop into small pieces.

Scoop out the flesh of the baked sweet potatoes (1 hour at 375F will do it). Mash with a potato masher and mix together with the chopped broccoli.

Add in the cheese, eggs, and breadcrumbs and season liberally with salt & pepper (about a full teaspoon of salt).

Add in fresh herbs if using.

I use an ice cream scoop to make even size patties.
Place the balls (you can make them any size you like) on a parchment lined baking sheet and form into patties with your hands.


Bake at 375F for 20-25 minutes, turning once at the 10 minute mark.


These are so good.

Let me know if Junior likes them. :)

Comments

Natalia said…
These look like a really healthy alternative to party appetizers for the holidays. And I love your tip on dip choices - will be serving these for sure at one of the upcoming parties!
Karen said…
Making these for the brats tonight!
Thank you!
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Jennifer Elia said…
Any ideas on making these gluten free? Do you think crushed corn chez would work? My kids eat broccoli and sweet potatoes regularly but I'm always looking for new ideas on how to serve them. Thanks.
Wanda said…
Okay, I sound like one of those moms because I have used all those quotes in some form or another. My kids are so picky that I find it difficult in feeding them anything new. I want to give them healthy foods! I will definitely try these soon!