Kids in the Kitchen - Part 9
Kids in the Kitchen is our blog series, where in collaboration with Little Kitchen Academy, we’re sharing recipes and tips for getting kids interested in food and involved in the kitchen.
Parmesan & Rosemary Roasted Squash: Welcoming Fall into the Kitchen
This month's recipe, Parmesan & Rosemary Roasted Squash, turns that work into something the whole family can share: thick slices of acorn squash coated with Parmesan, fresh rosemary, herbs, and spices, roasted until golden and served over a simple garlic yogurt sauce.
Ingredients
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1/2 acorn squash
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1 tbsp olive oil
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35 g Parmesan cheese, grated
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1 sprig fresh rosemary, chopped
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1/4 tsp salt
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1/4 tsp dried basil
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1/4 tsp dried thyme
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1/8 tsp smoked paprika
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1/4 cup plain yogurt
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Pinch salt
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1/2 small lemon, juiced
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1 garlic clove, minced
Prep time: 35-40 minutes
Serving size: 3-4 portions
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Scoop the seeds and fibers from the squash and compost. Cut the acorn squash into thick slices, about 1-inch thick.
When they're finished, let them carry the scraps to the compost themselves. Preparing food includes taking responsibility for the whole process, including what happens to the pieces we don't use.
3. Place the squash in a large bowl and toss in the olive oil to evenly coat.
4. In a small bowl, mix the salt, dried basil, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and fresh chopped rosemary. Add to the squash and toss to evenly coat.
🌱 From the Living Food Wall: Rosemary is one of the ingredients students can grow and harvest in Little Kitchen Academy Click & Grow Smart Gardens. When children grow an ingredient and then cook with it, food becomes more than something that appears on a plate. They begin to understand where it came from and the work that happened before they took the first bite.
5. Add the Parmesan cheese to the squash and toss to evenly coat.
6. Place the sliced acorn squash on a lined baking tray and spread out.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and roasted.
8. Make the garlic yogurt sauce by mixing the plain yogurt, salt, lemon juice, and minced garlic.
Squeezing, measuring, and stirring are practical skills with an immediate purpose.
9. Spread the garlic yogurt sauce on a plate and serve the roasted Parmesan & rosemary squash over top.
The goal isn't a perfectly plated dish. It's a child who knows they contributed something real to the family table.