March through mid-April is time to plant cool-weather veggies in your Little Rock garden. These yummy foods include salad must-haves like lettuce, kale and spinach, plus some bonus flavor and crunch boosters like carrots, Brussels sprouts and broccoli. 

Ready to get your hands dirty? Check out our full list of cool-weather veggies to plant here. 

Inspiring Kids to Try a New Food 

Having kids help grow their own food is a great way to get them to try new flavors. Other inspirational ideas we dug up include: 

• Plating deconstructed salads, with each food in its own spot for kids to try at their own pace.

• Allowing kids to create their own dishes with a salad bar setup.

• Presenting food in a fun way — like creating veggie bugs, houses or smiley faces. 

• Serving salads in a fanciful container like a mason jar — move over salad plates. 

• Adding in familiar proteins like chicken, bacon or cheese. 

• Throwing in their favorite fruits to sweeten the deal, naturally. 

• Spiralizing veggies to add a whimsical curl to each crunch. 

• Combining veggies with your kid’s favorite pasta. 

• Presenting garden fresh veggies with dipping options like hummus and homemade dressings. 

• Serving your meals in courses, so they can focus on their veggies at the beginning of the meal (when they are at their hungriest). 

• Creating a veggie rainbow. 

Five Kid-Friendly Salads 

Ready, set, crunch into these easy + healthy dishes. 

Kale, Carrot and Feta Salad

Try this super food salad for a super side. 

Via todaysparent.com

Ingredients:  

• 1 bunch kale

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1/2 red onion, chopped

• 2 carrots, shredded

• 1 zucchini, shredded

• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, divided

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2 cup water

• 1/4 cup raisins, currants or dried cranberries

• 1 cup crumbled feta

For the full recipe, click here. 

Broccoli Salad

This one is irresistible to broccoli fans and new converts alike. 

Via superhealthykids.com

Ingredients: 

• 4 cup broccoli, florets

Add-Ins:

• 1/4 cup cranberries, dried

• 1/4 cup chopped red onion

• 1/4 cup pieces turkey bacon

• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

• 1/4 cup sliced grapes

• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds

Dressing:

• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt

• 1/4 cup light mayonnaise

• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar

• 1 tablespoon honey

For the full recipe, click here. 

Tangy Mustard-Based Potato Salad

Put those potatoes and onions from your garden to work in this tempting spring recipe. 

Via thespruceeats.com

Ingredients:  

• 6 medium red potatoes

• 1/2 large diced sweet onion 

• 2 large diced stalks celery 

• 5 chopped hard-boiled eggs; reserve 1 to cut into wedges for garnish

• 1 teaspoon celery seed

• 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 1/4 cup yellow mustard

• 1 tablespoon white vinegar (or pickle juice)

• Garnish: 8 cherry tomatoes, parsley and sweet Hungarian paprika

For the full recipe, click here. 

Super Simple Spinach Salad 

This quick and easy recipe is weeknight-friendly, score! 

Via familyfoodonthetable.com

Ingredients: 

• 5-6 cups fresh baby spinach

Dressing:

• 1/2 clove minced garlic

• 1 overflowing tablespoon balsamic vinegar

• 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• pinch of sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper

For the full recipe, click here. 

Kid-Friendly Pasta Salad

Fun-shaped pasta meets seasonal veggies in this can’t-miss dish. 

Via foodnetwork.com

Ingredients: 

• 12 ounces fun-shaped pasta, such as radiatore

• 8 slices thin bacon

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 1/2 cup whole milk

• 3 tablespoons white vinegar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• Dash sugar, optional

• 10 ounces grape tomatoes (yellow and red), halved lengthwise

• 1/2 pound cheddar, cut into small cubes

• 3 green onions, thinly sliced

• Ground black pepper

• 24 whole basil leaves, chiffonade

For the full recipe, click here.