Explore-a-veggie

Your Child Will Learn

That the same food can taste differently depending on how it’s prepared

Here’s What to Do

1. Ask your child to pick a vegetable to explore. 
2. Choose a few different ways to prepare the veggie. Examples:
   1. Raw
   2. Raw with a dip or sauce
   3. Cooked: steamed, boiled, sauteed, roasted, grilled
   4. Adding salt or a spice
   5. Grated, mashed, or blended
   6. Frozen (some kids love frozen peas, etc.)
3. Ask your child to help prepare the veggie. Some kid-friendly cooking tasks:
   1. Washing
   2. Filling pot with water
   3. Setting timer
   4. Cutting with dull butter knife (for soft vegetables)
   5. Grating with a box grater (with adult help)
4. Have a taste test! Which way of cooking is your child’s favorite? 

Put PEER Into Action

PAUSE

• “Are you ready to be a taste explorer?”

ENGAGE

• “One of my favorite ways to eat broccoli is with a dip. Can you think of another way we could try broccoli?”
• “Would you say that this steamed carrot is two thumbs up, sideways, or down?”

ENCOURAGE

• “Do you think you could touch it? Smell it? Lick it? Give it a tiny mouse nibble? It’s okay if you don’t want to eat it.”
• “It’s okay if you don’t like this tomato yet. Did you know that you can learn to like any food? You just have to keep trying it, and one day you might realize you like it!”

REFLECT

• What was your child’s favorite way to cook the vegetable? Do you know any recipes that use the veggie that way?

Not Quite Ready

You could prepare the food ahead of time so it’s all ready for your child to taste.

Ready for More

Find a recipe on the internet that uses the vegetable and make it with your child.

As Your Child Masters This Skill

They will learn about what tastes good to them and be open to trying new food

Time to Complete

10-30 minutes

Materials Needed

A vegetable, cooking tools