Enticing Treats from "Kids Cook at the Market"      

We're baaack!  'Kids Cook at the Market' was first held during the summer, 2009 Farmers' Market.  Due to interest, we have brought the event back for the 2010 Farmers' Market.  The June event was attended by nine youth, ages 7 to 12.  The young cooks were greeted at the Texas AgriLife Extension exhibit, then taken on a tour to meet the vendors and select fresh vegetables for the day's project - veggie Quesadillas.     

Participants selected squash, golden zucchini, onions, peppers, and tomatoes.  Upon returning to the cooking headquarters, the youth washed their hands and the veggies.  Under the supervision of Master Wellness Volunteer - Bernadette McKinzie, food blogger, -Jill McKeever, and myself, they chopped the vegetables and took them to the skillet for a little stir-frying lesson.      

The next step was to assemble the Quesadillas by topping tortillas with low-fat cheese and a generous scoop of the stir-fried veggies.  After folding the tortillas in half, the final step was to heat the Quesadillas on both sides until the cheese was melted.  The favorite part for the young cooks was to eat the "fruits of their labor" (or should I say, the "veggies of their labor"!)  As the pleasant aroma wafted through the air, by-passers looked longingly in our direction, hoping for a sample for themselves.     

At the conclusion of the hour-long event, each child was given a goody bag containing activity sheets and a cookbook of recipes compiled by Maegen Law, WIC staff member.  The cookbook contained  the recipes which will be prepared during the 2010 Kids Cook at the Market.     

The next Kids Cook at the Market is scheduled for July 31.  If you know of a young person who would like to participate, send them our way.   We have some great plans in place for the next event, and goody bags are available for those who missed out the first time.  There is no charge for the event, but it would be helpful if participants could contact us in advance - 903-885-3443.      

While the young people are practicing their culinary skills, adults are invited to pick up publications from the Extension exhibit.  We offer timely information on safe handling and preparation of fresh fruits and vegetables, insect control, garden management, and other topics.      Until next week, enjoy the summer harvest!  

Closing Thought He who hesitates, waits.  (Words of wisdom from my husband, Jay)   Photo caption: Participants in the Kids Cook at the Market receive proper cutting instructions from volunteer, Jill McKeever.  The day's fare featured Veggie Quesadillas, prepared by the young cooks.    

Johanna Hicks
Texas AgriLife Extension Service - Hopkins County
Extension Agent - Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 Phone: 903-885-3443
Fax: 903-439-4909
e-mail: jshicks@ag.tamu.edu

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