When your child is still a baby, vegetable purees are their main source of nutrients and vitamins. Homemade vegetable purees are not only healthy and nutritious, but are also a lot safer for your child, as they either cannot chew solid food or are still getting used to bits of it. When you make your own puree, you have control over the consistency, flavors and portion. Your baby deserves nothing but the best, so we picked out some amazing recipes for vegetable puree for babies:
1. Avocados
Best for children after the age of 4-6 months, the avocado contains vitamins A and C, niacin, folate and minerals, like potassium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium and calcium.
Ingredients:
1 ripe Avocado
Directions:
Step 1: Peel and take out the pit of a ripe avocado (do not cook)
Step 2: Cut the flesh out and mash it with a fork. You can even blend it to the desired consistency.
2. Yams/Sweet Potato
Yams are best for children after the age of 4-6 months. It has vitamins A and C and folate. It also has minerals such as potassium, sodium, selenium, phosphorous, magnesium and calcium.
Ingredients:
2 or 3 medium-sized sweet potatoes
Directions:
Step 1: Wash and poke holes in sweet potato with a fork and wrap them in tin foil (do not peel for baking)
Note: You can also do this in the microwave. Only use plastic wrap and cook for 8 minutes on high or until tender.
Step 2: Place in a 400 degree oven and bake for 30-60 minutes or until soft
OR
Step 1: Peel washed and cleansed sweet potatoes and cut into small chunks
Step 2: Place chunks into a pan with just enough water to slightly cover potato
Step 3: “Steam” boil until tender and be sure to check on the water level
Step 4: Reserve any leftover water to use for thinning out the sweet potatoes
Step 5: If you have baked your sweet potato, remove the skin from them
Step 6: Place sweet potato into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing. You can use a little water for this.
Step 7: Add the reserved water or other liquid as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency
3. Carrots
Carrots can be fed to your baby after 6-8 months. It is rich in vitamins A and C. Try getting the slightly sweeter ones to make puree that can be both main course and dessert for your little one.
Ingredients:
1 pound of fresh carrots (you may also use frozen carrots)
Directions:
Step 1: Peel carrots and cut into small chunks
Step 2: Place chunks into a steamer pan with just enough water visible through the steamer basket
Step 3: Steam until tender
Step 4: Do not reserve any leftover water for thinning out the carrots if your baby is under 8 months old, as nitrates may seep into the cooking water
Step 5: Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing
Step 6: Add water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency
4. Broccoli
Broccoli can be given to children after 8-10 months. It is rich in minerals such as vitamins A, C, E and K, niacin and folate.
You’ll need: 2 heads of fresh broccoli (you may also use frozen broccoli)
Directions:
Step 1: Wash broccoli under cool water
Step 2: Chop stems and florets into small pieces. Using just the florets will yield a smoother puree. Steam until tender.
Step 3: Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing
Step 4: Add water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency