Yellow Squash Ribbon Quiche

With 2 picky toddlers, lately we’ve been having what feels like weeknight dinner fails. Much of the food ends up on the floor and by the end someone is in tears (usually me, just kidding). I just assumed that since we eat so many vegetables our kids would love them too, but man was I wrong! We go through phases, and re-introducing things helps, but it’s not like they’ll sit down and eat a salad (yet!). I am fairly confident they will turn into vegetable-loving adults, but in the meantime I just want them to ingest something green (or yellow, or red). I don’t love the idea of sneaking the veggies into food, as I’d rather they know what they are having, but sometimes I just want to make sure some veg is making its way down. (That’s usually when I break down and make a peanut butter-banana-spinach smoothie for dessert.)

Our boys will never turn down scrambled eggs, and they don’t seem to mind or notice when I finely grate some yellow squash or even zucchini in there. This week I’m going to try this quiche on them (minus the herbs probably). Anyone have favorite toddler-approved veg dishes?! 

YELLOW SQUASH RIBBON QUICHE

6 eggs

handful grated cheese (any kind)

1/3 c milk (I use almond, but can be any kind. Cream or half-n-half will make it more rich and custardy)

a pinch of salt

one small yellow squash (crooked neck or zucchini shaped ones work)

store-bought pie crust

Mix the eggs, cheese, milk and salt in a bowl and pour the mixture into a pie dish lined with pie crust. (I don't pre-bake the crust because I don't mind it occasionally doughy at the bottom, but you could if you don't mind the extra step and time.) Use a potato peeler to make ribbons from one small yellow squash and lay them all around in the egg mixture, pressing them down a bit under the egg. Sprinkle fresh thyme on top, plus more salt and pepper if you wish. Bake at 375F for 35-40 minutes or until set.

Chard Tart

This Chard Tart could also be considered a free form quiche or galette. No matter what you call it, it’s pretty great for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Slice the chard thinly and throw those stalks right in the mix as well (they are so pretty!). If you like your shallots (or you could use onion) more caramelized, you can cook those first (on medium) and throw the chard in for the last few minutes. Make your own dough or buy some from the store. I used whole wheat pizza dough, but for something a little richer, you could use pie crust. Enjoy!

By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Heirloom Tomato and Parmesan Quiche

The heirlooms that are coming in our CSA box right now are so flavorful! I sliced them up and laid them in a quiche for a light dinner with salad. I bought a roll of pre-made pie crust, but you could certainly make your own. For a richer egg mixture, use cream instead of milk. Depending on the size of your pie dish, this make take more or less than 40 minutes to cook- just give it a jiggle in the oven to see if the egg had hardened. You can lay foil over the top of the quiche half way through cooking to keep your crust from getting too brown. Serve warm or at room temperature with salt and pepper.

Photos, Illustration and Recipe by Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast