Finger Foods By Aisle: Produce

The other day I was talking to a friend about how much easier feeding my little folks is now that they're on (almost) all finger foods all the time. While making purees was a good experience that I'm glad I delved into, I wasn't sorry the last time I put the food processor away. All of the pureeing is a lot of work. With finger foods, so much is readily available and ready to go. In this series of posts I'll construct lists of those ready to go finger foods by grocery store section in hopes that you'll either get some new ideas for your own tot(s) or remember some toddler-friendly foods that had slipped your mind - or maybe a little of both. And I'm ONLY including the stuff that requires minimal preparation. When I say "steamed" something, I mean that I put it in a bowl with a little water and nuke it in the microwave for about a minute and a half.

It's almost easier to pick out what ISN'T finger food-able in the produce section than what is. I'll list what comes to me, and please feel free to make additions in the comments. I'll also add a star* beside our go-to- all-the-time favorites.

By the way, I'm working on a couple of toddler-friendly eat-your-vegetables recipes for your freezer convenience. Stay tuned!

Fruits:
Pears*
Bananas*
Apples
Peaches
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Honeydew Melon
Strawberries
Blueberries
Avocado*
Clementines
Tangerines
Tangelos
Grapefruit
Kiwi*
Mango
Oranges (with membrane removed for choking hazard purposes - true of all citrus)

Vegetables:
Jicama
Tomatoes*
Baked Sweet Potatoes*
Baked Potatoes
Cucumber*
Steamed Bell Peppers
Steamed Eggplant
Steamed Carrots
Steamed Zucchini*
Steamed Yellow Squash
Baked Butternut Squash
Baked Acorn Squash

As an aside, you know what Veda readily ate off of my plate the other day? Brussel sprouts. I had to fight her for them. Granted, they were prepared in the super yummy way I love my brussel sprouts (sauteed in olive oil, dusted with kosher salt and roasted). She is so my daughter.