I love a great spring salad as much as the next person. Okay, probably more. I always fall into the why-yes-it-could-use-more-raw-radishes camp, which isn't always the most popular, so when I'm cooking for kids or entertaining people who don't share my boundless love for greens, I have to get creative. These 7 unexpected spring veggie recipes help.
Keep these on hand for when you need a healthy side dish to burgers or to use up all those CSA picks. Or just a way to get kids to eat veggies that, you know, doesn't involve bribery.
Related: How to cut fruit the right way: Tricks for 8 different hard-to-manage fruits.
I was skeptical the first time I saw grilled lettuce on a menu, but of course I had to try it. The result? So delightful. If you're looking for a crispier, more tender, and super flavorful version of your favorite green, try this Grilled Romaine Salad at Heartbeet Kitchen. You won't regret it. I'm always looking for new veggies to use in pesto, and this Pasta with Crushed Pea and Basil Pesto at The Healthy Hunter looks truly amazing. Plus, it's a cheaper alternative to all-basil pesto.Related: How to make perfect pesto. Boom.
Our writer Jane tried making smoky Carrot Bacon, and while it didn't taste quite like the real thing, it was still great, according to her. Just maybe avoid leading with "bacon" when you present this to the kids. I love asparagus, but tend to get stuck in a rut with just two or three go-to recipes. So hats off to Naturally Ella for this fresh-looking Spring Pasta with Shaved Asparagus that transforms the veggie into zoodle-like strands. Perfect for meatless Monday, especially if you're feeding kids who will immediately reject a whole stalk.Related: How to boil corn on the cob perfectly.
Most of us think of radishes exclusively as crunchy salad fare, but it turns out that they roast up beautifully as well. And they get sweeter when you roast them too! If you're looking to change your routine -- or if raw radishes are a tough sell in your house -- try these simple Roasted Radishes at Sprinkles and Sprouts. We're a little over kale chips in my house right now (or indefinitely, according to my husband), so I was excited to discover these Beet Chips at Minimalist Baker for a new healthy snacking alternative. Especially since they're flavored with yummy fresh rosemary and sea salt.Related: From yard to table: Fantastic family-friendly recipes for homegrown vegetables.
Oh, paletas. Nothing says warm weather like the classic Mexican popsicles, and these Corn Paletas at Dora's Table look like the perfect version. While these are more of a dessert alternative than a robust serving of veggies, I think that they make a great start for particularly veggie-skeptical kids.
