Pasta Full of Posies

This post is sponsored by Country Crock. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.


Who has kids that are picky eaters? I know I do! It is a constant struggle to make sure they are getting enough veggies in their diet. One thing that they love though is pasta, so when I saw the Pasta Full of Posies recipe from the A Very Veggie World by Clare Crespo, I knew it would be a winner for them and the veggies make it a winner for Mommy. The bright colors will make it appetizing for kids and the "flowers" make it the perfect dish for spring. I love that her cookbook doesn't try to hide the veggies (like a bunch of other cookbooks) but just displays them in a fun way so that kids will learn to love veggies and want to try new ones. Let's face it, we won't be able to sneak vegetables in their diet when they are thirty, so we need to instill a love for them while they are still young.

Ingredients:

2 yellow and/or orange bell peppers
1 pkg (16 oz.) whole wheat penne
3 Tbs. Country Crock Spread
1 Tbs. olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
5 cherry tomatoes, halved
7 basil  or baby spinach leaves

1. Chop off top and bottom of peppers. Slice down the side, remove seeds and lay pepper flat. Cut into petal shapes.

2. Boil pasta according to package directions; drain.

3. Melt Country Crock spread and heat olive oil on the stove over medium heat in a pan big enough to hold pasta. Cook garlic and peppers together for about 5 minutes. With tongs, remove pepper petals and set aside.

4. Add pasta and cheese to garlic and toss together. Put pasta in a shallow serving dish. Arrange tomato halves on top and surround them with pepper petals to make "flowers." Add a basil or baby spinach leaf to each flower.

Serves 8

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes

Grant even ate his veggies first!!!

You can tell my Gabe's smile and messy face that it was yummy!

Gabe and Grant would like to say that they think all veggies taste better with Country Crock.  Their favorite is green beans with a couple tablespoons of Country Crock and some black pepper.



Are you looking for quick and simple tips and recipes to make serving veggies more fun? Download the free Clare Crespo Cookbook here for fun and whimsical recipes your family is sure to love!