Zucchini Farro Cakes + Giggle Bites For Your Kids!

Today is all about healthy eating for you and your kids.  First I wanted to share a recipe I made last week for our Meatless Monday meal, Zucchini Farro Cakes with Slow Roasted Tomatoes.  I loved this meal, but disclaimer Matt hated it and ate a box of poptarts later.  Keeping it real that the men in your lives may not love this meal:)  It was a light, fresh, and fun new way to eat zucchini and farro.  I served the cakes with Tzatziki sauce but next time I might would serve with crumbles goat cheese or even add goat cheese or some kind of cheese in the cakes.  I thought they needed cheese but I do love cheese, so you make the call!   Don't skip the tomatoes they are awesome and added such amazing flavor!  This recipe makes a ton of cakes (about 12) so you can freeze them or save for your lunches!

Enjoy!

|| Z U C C H I N I  F A R R O  C A K E S + S L O W  R O A S T E D  T O M A T O E S ||

adapted via Cooking Light

Ingredients

Tomatoes:

• 1 1/2 pounds grape tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cakes:

• 3 1/2 cups shredded zucchini (about 1 pound) 
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 2 cups cooked farro
• 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 tablespoons whole-wheat flour 
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten 
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided 
• Tzatziki or herbed goat cheese to top with

Preparation

To prepare tomatoes, preheat oven to 250°

  Combine tomatoes, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl; toss to coat. Arrange tomatoes in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 250° for 3 hours or until very tender, stirring every hour

To prepare cakes, combine zucchini and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a cheesecloth-lined bowl (I used a mesh strainer lined with a thin dish towel)  Let stand 10 minutes. Gather edges of cheesecloth; squeeze zucchini in cloth until barely moist. 

Combine zucchini, 1/2 teaspoon salt, farro, and next 7 ingredients (through garlic) in a large bowl. Let stand 5 minutes. Shape mixture into 12 (3-inch) patties, about 3/4 inch thick.  Let sit in fridge 30 minutes to an hour to harden cakes, if not they fall apart easily

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 patties; cook 4 minutes on each side or until golden. Repeat in two more batches with remaining oil and patties. Keep warm

Serve over arugula tossed with olive oil and lemon juice.  Top with slow roasted tomatoes and tzatziki or herbed goat cheese.

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The second part of today's post is about baby and toddler food! I am so darn proud of my friend Melissa I can't stand it.  For years she has talked about wanting to start her own baby food line and recently she and her husband finally did it!!  I briefly mentioned it a few weeks ago, but the line is called Giggle Bites.  After her first child was born Melissa had a hard time finding pure baby food with nothing extra added to it and that is how Giggle Bites came about.  I am sure you are thinking what makes this baby food different from others?  Well, first it is all frozen, meaning there are no additives or preservatives to give it shelf life.  There is actually nothing in the baby food but the actual fruit and/or veggies. It is frozen making it the freshest, healthiest food you can feed your baby!

It comes in freezer ziploc bags with 6 servings per bag and so many different flavors for each stage.

This is all I have been feeding Frances since she turned 4 months and the doc gave us the go ahead and she loves it.  It is so easy, all you do is pop a star out of the freezer and leave at room temperature to thaw, or pop in the microwave for about 30 secs, it is that easy.  Frances has tried all the firsts : sweet potatoes, green peas, mango, and apples and she loved them all!  I can't wait to try out some of the second foods once she hits 6 months.

There is also a Toddler Sneak-Um line with veggies you can de-thaw and sneak in things you are making like mac and cheese, muffins, quesadillas etc. Pure genius I tell you.  A great way to get your toddlers to eat their veggies. 

This post is kind of a tease because currently Giggle Bites is only available in Charlotte, but Melissa is working to get it in several big stores in the Southeast so stay tuned you should be able to buy it soon!  Charlotte friends all next week Giggle Bites is offering free delivery of your orders with code MOMSROCK for Mothers Day, so go stock up!  You can buy a box of 4 bags or 8 bags of any kind to meet the delivery minimum.  You will honestly probably want more, since it is frozen you don't have to worry about it going bad!  We go thru a bag a week with Frances!

You can shop online HERE and also check out Melissa's blog, it is filled with so much valuable info about kids food.  She has really opened my eyes to so many things about shelved baby food.

If you live in Charlotte on Saturday from 4-6 Giggle Bites will be at Pottery Barn Kids in SouthPark, so stop by and check them out!! If you have babies or toddlers I swear you will love this baby food line.  I am so proud of my girl, Melissa making her dreams come true.  Charleston peeps if you are interested in Giggle Bites shoot me an email, Melissa and I are trying to plan a day to drive some orders in town!  

Giggle Bites is so amazing, feed your kids something you can feel good about!