Fresh Fruits and Veggie Month

June is a perfect month to introduce students to fruits and veggies. In fact, June is National Fresh Fruits and Veggies Month! Help students create a cookbook of imaginative recipes for Avocado Toast and other simple breakfast and snack recipes using the abundance of summer fruits and veggies with the lesson and template provided here.

Making Avocado Toast

Millennials are gravitating towards Avocado Toast. This simple, yet nutritious combination can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or a midday snack. Dress it up or down as the mood strikes you and your pantry dictates. Let you imagination be your guide.

If your classroom is not equipped with a kitchen, this is the perfect cooking lesson for you. Either pre-toast the bread at home, or bring in your toaster so the students can use it in class and you’re all set to go.

Supplies needed per student:

• ½-1 avocado each

• 1 “smashing” bowl [for every 3-4 students]

• 1 knife

• 1 paper plate

• 1 fork assorted toppings

Procedure:

1. Clean off desks and wash hands. Demonstrate good hygiene for students who may not be familiar with cooking.

2. Toast 1-2 slices of bread per student. Place on a paper plate.

3. Test avocadoes. If it “gives” to the slight pressure of your thumb, your avocado is ready.

4. Prepare avocadoes. Cut them in half. Hit the blade of the knife across the pit and twist to loosen and remove. Slide knife around outer edges of the avocado and the fleshy meat should pop right out. Smash meat in a bowl with the back of a fork.

5. Spread avocado. Spread a layer of avocado on the dry toast.

6. Enhance your toast. Now, comes the fun part. Add tomatoes, onions, peppers, strawberries, sliced peaches—use your imagination.

7. Save time for clean-up. Be sure to teach your students responsible clean-up habits.

Note: If avocadoes are difficult to obtain in your area, hummus is a good substitute and allows for the same kind of creative combinations as avocadoes.

Enhance Your Cooking Lesson

When your students have finished their toast, pass out the recipe page included here. Allow students to record their combinations on the recipe page then copy them to make a cookbook for students to share. Students can practice sequential directions, factual writing and logical order through this fun activity.

For More Information

You can help students learn more about healthy eating and nutrition with the Daily Living Skills workbook “Nutrition.” This workbook introduces students to the MyPlate system of nutrition planning along with serving sizes, vitamin content and calorie information that they need to prepare healthy meals. Additionally, meal planning with nutritious yet inexpensive food sources is provided to help students break the fast-food habit.

Written on a 3rd/4th grade level with airy pages and lots of bullet-point information, these books nevertheless address teen sensibilities and humor while meeting federal guidelines for transition services and Indicator 13 requirements. For more information go here.