Eggplant and zucchini are grilled and tossed with shredded chicken, tomatoes and whole wheat penne pasta. Kids will have fun tearing up basil leaves and crumbling tangy feta cheese with their hands.

Ingredients:
1 large eggplant
1 teaspoon salt
2 small zucchini
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound whole wheat penne pasta
1 tomato, chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil
1/4 cup feta cheese
2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
salt and pepper, to taste

Method:
Adult: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Preheat the grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat.

Adult: Trim the ends off the eggplant and cut into 3/4 inch slices lengthwise. Trim the ends off of the zucchini and cut each into thirds.

Kid: Place the eggplant slices into a colander in the sink and toss in the salt. Let sit 10 minutes to allow the eggplant’s bitterness to drip through the colander’s holes. After 10 minutes, rinse the eggplant slices thoroughly and pat them dry with a paper towel. Place the zucchini and eggplant slices in a medium bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.

Together: Place the eggplant and zucchini slices on the grill or grill pan. Cook for 4 minutes, flip with a spatula and cook for 4 minutes on the other side. Using the spatula, transfer the eggplant and zucchini slices to a cutting board to cool.

Adult: When salted water boils, add the penne and cook according to package directions, or until the pasta becomes al dente. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.

Kid: Tear the basil into bite sized pieces with your hands. Crumble the feta cheese into small chunks.

Adult: Chop the grilled eggplant and zucchini into 3/4 inch chunks.

Together: Add the eggplant, zucchini, tomato, basil, chicken, feta and remaining olive oil to the bowl with the pasta. Toss well, season with salt and pepper to taste, divide into 8 portions and enjoy!

Serves 8

Source: This recipe comes to us from Alysa of Inspired RD.

We’ve teamed up with the Kids Cook Monday initiative to bring you a weekly recipe that encourages families to set aside the first night of every week for cooking and eating together as a family. Be sure to check out their website for more great ideas on how to empower your kids in the kitchen!

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