We had Zucchini Ziti for dinner the other night and it was yummy.  The recipe was from “Make 5 Dinners in ONE Hour”  and was simple and tasty.  The kids were immediately turned off by its appearance.

We have a saying in our house, “Kicklighters try everything.”  We chant this several times throughout every meal and the frenzy grows until the target of the cheering finally takes a bite of whatever has made their nose turn upward.

On the night of the zucchini ziti it was every child’s nightmare to take even one bite of the mixture on their plate and the Kicklighter mantra was having little effect.  I had even told them all that we had eaten the same recipe at another time and they had all liked it, but nobody believed me.  All I got in return was, “I don’t like zucchini.”

I brought out the big guns. . . I told a story that went a little something like this:
“When I was little my mom cooked zucchini for dinner and made us eat all that was on our plate.  When I was six I tried it and I did not like zucchini.  When I was eight I did not like zucchini.  When I was fifteen I did not like zucchini.  When I was twenty I did not like zucchini.  When I was 27 I tried zucchini and I liked zucchini and I have liked it ever since.  The point of this story is that you should keep trying things from time to time because you might find that your tastes change as you grow older.”

Little took a bite and shivered from head to toe.
KB took a bite and announced that she was right – she does not like zucchini.

Bubba took a bite and proceeded to tell me a story of his own:
“When I was two I was too little to eat zucchini.  When I was three I was too little to eat zucchini.  When I was four I had not eaten zucchini.  When I was five I ate zucchini and did not like zucchini.  When I was six I tried zucchini and I liked it.”

I’ve included the recipe so you can have the chance to tell a story of your own.  Maybe THIS is the year you find you like zucchini!

Baked Zucchini Ziti
2 zucchini
28 oz jar spaghetti sauce
1 C. Ricotta or cottage cheese
1 t dried basil
1 t dried oregano
8.5 oz dried ziti noodles
1 C. water
2 C. shredded mozzarella cheese

Chop zucchini into 1 inch pieces and add to a large bowl.  Add next 6 ingredients to zucchini and mix well.  Spray a 9×13 baking dish non stick spray and layer ingredients-
½ sauce/noodle mix
½ mozzarella cheese
Repeat ending with cheese on top. Cover with foil.
Bake covered – 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes or until bubbly.