Latke Love!

 In preparation for Hanukkah, the Toddler Bunnies have made several types of latkes in the classroom. Traditionally, latkes are fried in oil (as are many Hanukkah treats) and are usually made with potatoes and onions. We also made "Light Latkes" that were baked in the oven. Cooking with toddlers helps them to learn about how food is made and helps develop physical, social/emotional, and cognitive skills. If you would like to try making latkes (any variation), here are a few tips that can be helpful:

The potatoes were shredded the night before and turned brown. This doesn't affect the taste of the potatoes.

• Raw potatoes turn brown quickly after being cut. Immerse them in cold water after cutting/shredding or use them immediately.
• It is helpful to have all supplies and equipment ready to use prior to starting a cooking project. If possible, provide each child with his/her own bowls/spoons since young children may not be able to wait or take turns stirring.
• Children can help wash vegetables, stir, add ingredients, or even fill muffin tins and baking sheets.
• Always, always, ALWAYS have children wash their hands prior to preparing food.

We made our traditional latkes using grated potatoes, onions, eggs, garlic powder, flour, salt and pepper. We fried them in an electric skillet using canola oil. Here are some links to a couple of child-friendly latke recipes:

http://www.chabad.org/kids/article_cdo/aid/361560/jewish/Latkes.htm

http://www.chabad.org/kids/article_cdo/aid/450122/jewish/Potato-Latkes.htm

 

Matasha's recipe for Light Latkes was recently submitted to Super Snack Spectacular a Washtenaw Community College. The Toddler Bunnies helped make potato, sweet potato, and zucchini latkes. The sweet potato latkes were almost everyone's favorite! 

 

Light Latkes

Recipe & Procedures:   Ingredients: 2 large russet potatoes (about 1 pound) or 2 sweet potatoes or 2 zucchini, scrubbed, and shredded or grated 1 large onion (8 ounces), peeled and shredded or grated ½ cup all-purpose flour 2 large eggs, beaten ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Non-stick cooking spray Unsweetened applesauce, Greek yogurt, or sour cream        Preheat oven to 425°F.  Place aluminum foil into muffin tins and spray with cooking spray.        Mix potatoes (or zucchini), onions, flour, eggs, and seasonings until well blended then spoon the mixture into the muffin tin.        Bake for 20-30 minutes, turning them over when the potato browns and pulls away from the sides of the muffin tin.       Serve with applesauce and sour cream or Greek yogurt. Reference citation: Recipe adapted from In the Kitchen with a Good Appetite  by Melissa Clark and from www.classicallykosher.com

 

Having Fun in the Sun(flower)

During the summer months, the Toddler Bunnies often watered the sunflowers that were growing on the Infant/Toddler playground. After the seasons changed and the petals fell off the sunflower, we brought one of the sunflower heads into and let the children investigate the parts of the sunflower. Many of the children enjoyed feeling the texture of the plant and the seeds. When we finished, the whole class went outside and left sunflower seeds on the ground to feed the birds and squirrels who are preparing for winter.

Exploring an Etrog

Eli and Zoe watch closely as Terese cuts open the etrog.

The Toddler Bunnies enjoy opportunities to learn about the world around them. after Sukkot, the toddlers got a chance to explore the inside of an etrog. The etrog is the fruit of the citron tree and closely resembles a lemon. We told the children that "It's the lemon's cousin." The children got to feel, smell, and taste the etrog. Later we put part of the etrog (the part that we didn't use to explore) in the slow cooker with some water, filling the whole room with a citrus scent. We attempted to make etrog jam. Here is the recipe and the finished product below.

Etrog Jam

• 1 Etrog (citrus)
• 1 Orange
• Sugar
• Water

Rinse the Etrog and orange. Cut them lengthwise and slice them very thinly. Remove the seeds. Soak the fruit overnight. Change the water (and make sure the fruit is fully covered). Place it in a pot and bring it to a boil. For a second time, change the water and bring to a boil again. Pour out the water, and weigh the fruit. Match with an equal amount of sugar. Cook over a low flame for about 45 minutes, or until it takes on a jam-like appearance.
Etrog jam has a strong and distinct flavor that will carry the spirit of Sukkot long into the year. Many people have the custom of saving this jam for the holiday of Tu B'shvat. (Source: Post-Sukkot Uses for the Etrog http://www.chabad.org)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eli tasting the etrog.

Color week in the Zebra Room

Last week the Zebra room chose to do a color week. The children loved pointing out that they were all wearing the same colors. We also incorporated the color of the day into our small groups for the week. We colored with red crayons, played with different colors of shaving cream,  different colors of dot markers, and also yellow play dough.  Special thank you to the parents who made our color week a great success!

Very special story time

On Friday, October 26th the Zebra room ( along with other rooms) welcome a very special and talented storyteller to the zebra room, Jennifer Rudick Zunikoff. Mara Jennifer did a story telling training with the teachers earlier in the week and then came into the classroom to show her skills and talent with the children. They all enjoyed the story of Toby and Tolla the chameleons and their adventures to find food while on Noah's Ark.  The kids enjoyed acting along with Mara Jennifer as she acted out scenes in the story.

Did someone say Gemini?

 

Who is Gemini you might ask? They are a group comprised of twin Brothers ; Sandor and Laszlo Slomovits. Gemini visits the JCC ECC from time to time and preforms a concert for the children. The Zebra room absolutely loves Gemini!…In fact at any given time if you hear music playing in the room there is a very good chance its Gemini. Does you child walk around singing “ hello hello hello….” or “ It’s a pizza It’s a pizza”….Yep you guess it Gemini!…During the concert the children sang along, danced and watched in awe as they played different instruments. If anyone would like more information about Gemini please visit http://www.geminichildrensmusic.com/