Izzy (and Mama) Eat: The Gourmand Goes To College...

Tales of Empty Nest and College Boy Eats.. The Next Chapter

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Zucchini and Peer Influence

Izzy and his friend T. were playing together this afternoon. It was nearing dinnertime and both were hungry so I suggested that T. join Izzy for dinner. I was making the aforementioned macaroni and cheese, along with some baked zucchini slices. Izzy enjoys these immensely and I assumed T. would too.

Well, when I removed the zucchini from the oven T. simply looked at them and said he didn't want any. I put a few on his plate anyway. He proceeded to lick one and proclaimed, "These are nasty." Izzy immediately followed suit in his usual "Monkey see, monkey do" fashion., proclaiming the same thing. He wouldn't eat them either and for a moment I was worried that zucchini would no longer be a part of his repertoire.

Izzy then said he was done with dinner and wanted dessert. Since we had already eaten far too much dessert earlier, I told him that he would not see anything resembling dessert until he ate some zucchini. Well he proceeded to finish the zucchini on his plate and then requested more. I made him a second tray and he ate those too, stuffing several slices into his mouth at once. Meanwhile T., wouldn't go beyond a tiny nibble, instead concentrating on the mac 'n cheese. I wonder how many times he would need to see Izzy eat them before eating some himself? I wonder what will happen when his mom prepares them at home (she seemed to like them).

Thankfully, Izzy was only momentarily swayed and went back to his zucchini-loving ways. I guess I don't have to have his friends take a food test before inviting them over.

Simplest Zucchini Slices

Thinly slice as many zucchini as you need.
Spread in one layer on parchment or foil-covered baking sheet.
Drizzle with olive oil
Sprinkle with salt
Sprinkle with herbs (parsley, thyme, chives) if you have any.
Bake in 400 degree oven until slightly browned.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

So glad to see this blog. I've thankfully raised the same type of kid. My almost 4 year old son cannot get enough red peppers, asparagus, and broccolini. He was raised vegan from age 1-3 and we have lapsed into vegetarianism (still no straight milk or cheese, but parts of it are in the vegetarian replacements). As well he is raised an a huge variety of food. Now as a preschooler he has his picky food moments, but not nearly as bad as most of his friends.

Izzy's Mama said...

Glad to hear it. Love to hear about kids who eat well. Where do you live? How do you deal with peer influence in the food department? Does your son go to school? I think the most difficult challenge will be to keep him from fast food indoctrination by his friends.