When my youngest son was a toddler, getting him to eat anything was no drama. He would eat anything and everything…like most small children. As he grew up he became more vocal about his meals which suddenly became abhorrent to him!

Looking back it was quite funny to see his face when his meal was put in front of him – he would study it and then proclaim that he didn’t think he was going to like whatever was on the plate! At the time, I was worried he would not grown properly if he didn’t eat a balanced diet.

I tried all sorts of different methods to cook vegetables; baked, fried, mashed, herbed….I made cheese sauces and smothered Delicious cauliflower and broccoli in the stuff!

Then I discovered disguising vegetables I know, it’s not ideal but eh it works and its easy. Let’s start off with an easy and delicious cake – great for the lunch box and most kids love chocolate so it’s an easy sell.

Ingredients
3 cups (300-350g) grated courgettes
125g butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup yoghurt, plain or flavoured
2 1/2 cups standard (plain) flour
1/4 cup cocoa
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp mixed spice
1/2-1 cup chocolate chips or pieces

Turn the oven to 170°c, or to 160°c if using a fan oven. Prepare a 23cm square pan by lining it with baking paper. (I use two strips & crosswise it in the pan to make it easy to lift out)
Grate the courgettes then set aside. Measure the butter and sugars into a food processor or an electric beater and process to combine. Add the eggs and beat or process until light and creamy looking. Add the vanilla and yoghurt and mix well.
Sift the the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt into the food processor or mixer. Add the spices and then mix just enough to combine. Add the zucchini and fold by hand to combine.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, sprinkle the surface with the chocolate chi
ps. Bake for 45 minutes or until the centre feels firm and a skewer comes out clean.
Serve warm or cold, preferably within two days

By the way, that fussy child is still pretty bad with his vegetables; he’s 19years old not,  has grown to over 6ft and is showing no sign of malnutrition!

Happy baking xx