"What's That In My Soup?!" Soup

As most parents can tell you, there are many ways to hide vegetables so that kids will get at least a few bites at meal time. But you might want to consider giving vegetables center stage at the table by cloaking them in a mysterious, maybe even a little creepy, allure - just enough to arouse their interest and overcome those "I don't like vegetables" mantras.

Zucchini can almost instantly transform from a yucky squash into a "cool creature" by poking a few spaghetti "legs" into it before cooking. Here's an idea for making a delicious, fresh soup with a sizable portion of vegetables that is so bizarre that kids can't help but like it. Start with a few firm zucchini like these.

You can use any type of pasta for the legs. If you cut the zucchini into approximately 3/4 inch slices, angel hair pasta cooks in the same length of time. If you use a wider type of pasta, cut the zucchini into longer pieces so it doesn't get over done.

While you're slicing the zucchini and poking in the pasta "legs", bring chicken broth (seasoned as you like with salt, pepper, fresh herbs) to a boil. Gently drop the zucchini "creatures" into the broth. Add any other quick cooking vegetables to the pot that you'd like - kids will be so distracted by the sight of legs coming out of the zucchini that they will forget not to eat whatever other veggies you add. Fresh spinach (which you might want to rename "swamp grass") and frozen corn (aka "frog molars") are good additions.

Cilantro gives a fresh boost to many dishes, even "Creature" Soup.

Older kids who are learning their way around the kitchen might enjoy making this soup, and younger kids might want to get involved by sticking the "legs" into the "creature's" body. Of course, as always when cooking or crafting, kids need adult supervision for safety.

No matter what you call it, this soup makes eating vegetables not so scary for kids.