Kid-Friendly Veggie Tots

By Noor Salem, contributing columnist

Noor’s Veggie Tots

Last week, we discussed the common concern many parents have when it comes to children consuming vegetables or healthy food in general. Although I’ve pointed out it’s best to not always sneak vegetables into your child’s dinner, at times it may be quite useful. This recipe includes a wonderful serving of vegetables and most importantly it’s approved by kids of all ages. It’s fairly easy to make and they will be eaten just as quickly. These vegetable tots contain cruciferous vegetables, vitamin boosting greens, protein, and healthy fats. They are very satisfying, and delicious alike. Whether you are packing these for your child’s lunch, or preparing them as your husband’s snack, you’ll find that they’re favored immensely.

You may alter some of the ingredients such as spices and vegetables, but keep the base essential such as the cauliflower, flaxseed, and eggs or you may impact the results of the tots.

These veggie tots can in no way be compared to deep fried potato tots. Those are most definitely deep fried in unhealthy fats, contain little to not nutrients, and are extremely low in fiber. Even if you purchase potato tots in the frozen section of your grocery store, don’t be deceived to believe baking them automatically makes them a health food. In fact, the majority of these potato tots and French fries in general are pre-fried, which explains why they don’t take too long in the oven before reaching a perfectly toasted point. Try these homemade vegetable tots, which are high in dietary fiber, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory benefits, and a myriad of vitamins and minerals. Serve them at your next dinner party, child’s lunchbox, or a tasty snack throughout the day.

Ingredients:

3 cups cauliflower florets

1 bunch fresh parsley

½ small onion

3 carrots, shredded

4 organic pastured raised eggs

1/8 cup organic ground flaxseed

1 teaspoon turmeric, ground

1 teaspoon Himalayan Pink Salt

½ teaspoon mustard seed, ground

½ teaspoon rosemary

optional: stir in ½ cup organic cheese (shred it) after transferring to the mixing bowl

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Steam the cauliflower and carrots, set aside.
3. Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender or food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
4. Transfer the tot’s dough to a mixing bowl. Using the palm of your hands, form patties or tots of your choice.
5. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes or until browned.
6. Allow the tots to cool before serving.

Noor H. Salem is an author, speaker, and Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, from Michigan. Noor works with clients in better understanding their bodies and healing with natural foods through her wellness practice, Holistic Noortrition. She presents various workshops, school lectures, group coaching classes, and community lectures on the topic of holistic health. Noor recently published her book, SUNNAH SUPERFOODS, a culmination of life-changing recipes and remedies, with a foreword by Dr. Waleed Basyouni. Her book consists of prophetic hadith, modern research, and delicious recipes, and is in the process of being translated into other languages.

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