With 
the abundance of fresh vegetables that we grow, or get donated to our school over the harvest season, we are always looking for ways to involve children in the cooking of new snacks. When the children get involved in the whole process from planting seeds, to harvesting, and then cooking, it makes them excited to try the new recipes. For snack we made breaded yellow squash rings, which were a hit at the snack table. For any cooking with children, make sure that hands are well cleaned, put aprons on the children, and limit the touching of food by using utensils, and ensure that all food touched by children is going to be cooked afterwards.
Ingredients:
- 1 Large, slightly overgrown yellow squash
- Crunchy bread sticks (or you can use bread crumbs, but will you miss out on the fun of crushing)
- Flour for dusting
- 2 eggs (or more)
- Seasonings (have fun with various herbs and spices)
- Vegetable oil for cooking
Kitchen items needed: vegetable peeler, potato masher, large Ziplock bag, rolling pin, tongs, assorted sized bowls, knives and electric skillet.
Steps:
To make the breading, place the hard bread sticks in a large metal bowl, and use the potato masher to break them up into smaller pieces, this can be done with a potato masher, or any item that children can use to smash. Transfer the small pieces to a Ziploc Bag, and then have the children roll them and crush them until fine with a rolling pin. Pick up and shake it regularly so that everyone can see how fine they are getting. Alternatively, just use breadcrumbs and take away the fun of creating your own.
Have the children peel the yellow squash. Use a bowl to help the peels not go all over the table. Then cut off the large end of the squash exposing the seeds inside. Have the children use spoons and bread knives to hollow out the squash, removing all of the seeds. Hold onto the seeds to roast them separately afterwards for a great healthy crunchy snack. Then cut the squash into rings about 1/4 inch thick.
- Place all of the rings in a large bowl and dust with the flour until lightly coated.
- Crack eggs into a bowl and beat them, adding salt and pepper
- Season the breadcrumbs with different herbs and spices such as red pepper flakes, dried basil, turmeric, thyme Herbs de Provence, or whatever your taste desires. (you can also add Parmesan if you like a cheesy finish)
- Using tongs children pick up each ring separately and place in egg mix and then into the crumbs.
- Coat the rings with the breadcrumbs and set aside on a plate
- Heat the oil, and fry until golden then turn and cook the other side, adding more oil as needed
