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taste
WORDS Emily Paige Skeen
The South is known for its lavish celebrations and decadent dishes. Growing up here means being a part of endless gatherings—like tailgating parties, holiday shindigs, formals, family reunions, and so much more. The main attraction at these events: food. After all, what’s a traditional Easter feast without a delicious side of buttery mashed potatoes or a heaping helping of creamy banana pudding? Sadly, these festivities often lead to unhealthy eating habits. Bad nutrition is instilled in many southern children from a young age and can be difficult to overcome. Any parent rearing children in the South can tell horror stories of attempting to feed kids vegetables. Unless, of course, those veggies are scattered, covered, and smothered. The good news is that there are plenty of ways around this dilemma of nutrition versus tradition. All you need is a little creativity and a lot of patience. Substituting a few ingredients in your favorite dishes allows you to expose your kids to the southern traditions you hold dear, while maintaining an optimal level of health. Dish up these three southern recipes—minus the guilt—for a meal you can feel good about feeding your family.
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