Sparkle Kitchen: Forest Caterpillar Snack
In the Martin & Sylvia story “Animal Daycamp,” Sylvia has been waiting a whole year to go to Animal Camp. She has heard all about it from her brother Martin. But when the time finally arrives, she is no longer quite so sure.
With Daddy’s encouragement, she decides that she will try camp “for a little while.” How amazed she is to meet “the bravest of forest animals” and find that the very same bravery lives in her as well!
While I won't spoil the story by revealing Sylvia's new-found favorite forest animal, I will tell you that some of my favorite forest creatures are bugs. Wise-looking grasshoppers, lovely moths, and fat, furry caterpillars — it's fascinating to see how many variations there can be within the insect class.
This week's recipe takes its inspiration from all of the weird and wonderful caterpillars who live in the forest.
You can choose a sweet variation, a savory one, or some of each for a larger snack platter. And don't worry about buying a package of candy eyes for one recipe. Rest assured — once they're in your pantry, you'll find excuses to put them on everything!
Forest Caterpillar Snacks
Makes one caterpillar. Increase as needed to make more.
Ingredients
Celery stalk, trimmed to about 4 inches long (plus a few scraps for antennae) Candy eyes (available in the baking section of most grocery stores)
For a sweet caterpillar:
About 2 tablespoons peanut butter A few grapes and/or blueberries
For a savory caterpillar:
About 2 tablespoons whipped cream cheese A few cherry tomatoes
Directions
Spoon and spread the peanut butter or cream cheese into the center of the celery stalk. Top with grapes and blueberries (for the peanut butter) or cherry tomatoes (for the cream cheese).
Use a sharp knife to cut an extra piece of celery into thin slivers, about an inch long.
Cut two tiny slits into the front piece of fruit on the celery, and gently slip one end of a celery sliver inside each one to make antennae.
Use a bit of peanut butter or cream cheese to attach the candy eyes.
Hope you enjoy this forest-themed snack!
If you liked this recipe, here are others you might enjoy:
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About the Author
Meryl Carver-Allmond
The Sparkle Kitchen Series is created by Meryl Carver-Allmond.
Meryl lives in a hundred-year-old house near the prairie with her sweet husband, two preschoolers, one puppy, one gecko, and about ten chickens. While she's been writing since she could pick up a pen, in recent years she's discovered the joy of photography, too. She feels lucky to be able to combine those skills, along with a third passion — showing people that cooking for themselves can be healthy and fun — in her Sparkle Kitchen posts.
