Ninja Boy is my picky eater of the bunch. According to him, I’m kind of a mean mommy because I cook whatever I am planning to make for the family, and it doesn’t matter much to me whether he thinks he likes it or not.

A couple nights earlier than this incident, I had already made zucchini for dinner. After much whining and possibly a trip or two to his room, he finally ate the two or three I had “forced” him to eat. Apparently, I didn’t learn my lesson and made it again for lunch. Poor, Ninja Boy! Such a tortured child. This time, however, I had a trick up my sleeve. Grandma had sent me a picture on my phone to let me know that she had made a fort for the kids that they could play in at her house that afternoon. I shared this news with Ninja Boy who, of course, became very excited and started talking about THAT instead of eating his food. In the midst of all his words, I heard something about needing coins to get in the fort, and this mommy got an idea.

“Ninja Boy, guess what! These zucchini are actually coins to get into the fort at Grandma’s house, and YOU are the machine that takes the coins. You put them in like this…”

And I showed him what to do.

Thankfully, he jumped on board with that and instead of only the three I Put on his plate, he ate seven! Mommy-1 Ninja Boy-0! Sometimes you need to get a little creative with the picky eaters.

Recipe for Fort Zucchini Coins

• Zucchini
• Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper

Slice Zucchini into coin shapes (about 1/4 in thick). Lay them out on the pan without overlapping. Spray or brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil until the tops are slightly browned. Enjoy!

He likes it!