Figure Friendly Fast Food

I read an article this weekend about how the fast food industry can package any food and still make it appealing to children. I see that Big M are selling "corn off the cob" in a little plastic tub, which comes with it's own plastic spoon! I wonder how many mothers out there have served this same thing on a glass plate without the same success!

I never had a problem eating my vegetables as a child, and I have been blessed with a son who eats just about anything I give him. With a few exceptions, like tinned asparagus and oats porridge, darling son (AKA the Vacuum Cleaner) eats anything and everything!! He is also very partial to food served in boxes, bought in places with bright lights and lots of noise!

Some vegetables need a little help to make them child friendly. One of these is baby marrow (zucchini). I don't think there are many kids who will line up for a plate of steamed baby marrow. I think fritters are a great way to add variety, and still compete with the Big M and the Colonel!

Baby Marrow Fritters

500ml grated Baby Marrow ( Wrap in a dish towel and "skweez" out all the liquid)
1 cup of flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
½ teaspoon of Bicarb
3/4 teaspoon of salt
Black Pepper
¾ cup of milk - you might not need this full amount
2 Tablespoons of Fresh Coriander chopped
Chopped Garlic (optional)
1 egg, beaten
Oil for shallow frying

Mix the marrow, flour, bicarb, baking powder, salt, pepper, egg, garlic and coriander together.
Add enough milk to have a batter (like scones).
You don't want it too runny, it must still have some body.
Drop by tablespoons, a few at a time, into shallow heated oil.
Fry 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown.

I served mine with sweet chilli sauce.

You can learn many things from children.

How much patience you have, for instance.