Spooktacular Veggie Ideas for a Healthier Halloween Celebration
Boo! Halloween is quickly sneaking up on us, and while candy and sweet treats always take center stage, it’s also the perfect opportunity to add a healthy twist to your festivities to provide some balance to all the sugar. Whether you’re hosting a party, preparing snacks for your family, or looking for some festive spooky decor around your meals, invite vegetables to your Halloween—with a little help from some convenient Taylor Farms products, of course.
Jack-o’-Lantern Veggie Platters
Grab a bag of pre-washed, pre-chopped Broccoli & Carrots to create a cute Jack-o’-Lantern veggie platter. One of the easiest Halloween-inspired pot luck items, you’ll use that orange to your advantage and serve up an adorable Halloween platter that’s actually good for them.
Arrange the baby carrots on a flat serving platter in the round shape of a pumpkin. Collect broccoli florets at the top of your platter for the stem, and then create eyes and a mouth with black olives or bell pepper slices. Serve with ranch dip or dill dip
Add some heat to your Halloween spread with these veggie-filled jalapeño poppers. They’re wrapped up like mummies to surprise your family on the table, and as a bonus, you’ll be getting some much-needed vegetables into their bellies!
Ingredients:
- 12 fresh jalapeños, halved lengthwise and seeded
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 (8 oz) tube crescent roll dough
- 1 Taylor Farms Jalapeño Popper Chopped Kit
- 24 candy eyeballs (for garnish)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika until smooth.
- Fill each jalapeño half with the cream cheese mixture.
- Roll out crescent dough and cut into thin strips. Wrap strips around each stuffed jalapeño to resemble a “mummy,” leaving a small gap for the eyes.
- Place mummies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake 15–18 minutes, until dough is golden brown and jalapeños are tender.
- Remove from oven and immediately press two candy eyeballs into the cheese peeking through.
- In a large bowl, toss the contents of the Taylor Farms Jalapeño Popper Chopped Kit according to package directions. Spread salad across a serving platter to create a fresh “bed.”
- Arrange jalapeño popper mummies on top of the salad.
Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers
If you’re looking for a festive and tasty main dish for your family or guests, these stuffed peppers will do the trick—and they’re also kind of adorable. Simply stuff your carved peppers with a mixture of chicken, quinoa, and the delicious contents of our delicious Spiced Apple Chopped Salad Kit for a spooky and satisfying dish. Check out the recipe to see how easy it is to make.
Don’t Forget the Mini Chopped Salad Kits!
Need a quick side dish or light meal before trick-or-treating, but don’t want to make anything? Stock up on some Taylor Farms Mini Chopped Salad Kits, each conveniently portioned for one. From Nashville Hot to Pizza Ranch, there are plenty of options you (and your kids) will love. Plus, it’s a great way to serve up veggies before the piles of candy start accumulating later in the evening.
Ghostly Veggie Pizzas
Mini pizzas are always a hit, and adding a spooky twist makes them even more appealing. They’re also a great way to get your kids to join in on the prep work.
Ingredients:
- Whole wheat English muffins or mini pizza crusts
- Pizza sauce
- Taylor Farms broccoli florets and cauliflower pieces, chopped
- Mozzarella cheese slices
- Black olives
Directions:
- Spread pizza sauce over the muffin halves or crusts.
- Sprinkle chopped broccoli and cauliflower over the sauce.
- Use a ghost-shaped cookie cutter to cut ghost shapes from the mozzarella slices.
- Place the cheese ghosts on top and use pieces of black olives for the eyes.
- Bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Creamy Roasted Carrot Soup
Need a less spooky option that’s still festive and perfect for the season? Warm up on a cool autumn night with this comforting Creamy Roasted Carrot Soup that’s naturally brimming with Halloween’s favorite color: vibrant orange.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut milk (optional for extra creaminess)
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the carrot chunks on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until the carrots are tender and slightly caramelized.
- In a large pot, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and thyme, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the roasted carrots to the pot. Pour in the vegetable broth, bringing the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes.
- Blend the soup using an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. (If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the soup to a regular blender in batches and blend until smooth. If using a regular blender, return the soup to the pot after blending.(
- Stir in the heavy cream or coconut milk if desired, and heat the soup gently without boiling. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- To serve, ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley or chives. Serve hot with a slice of crusty bread or a side salad!
Brussels Sprouts Eyeballs
Sounds fun. Looks spooky. Give your appetizers a spooky makeover.
- Instructions:
- Roast or air-fry Brussels sprouts until tender.
- Use a small dollop of cream cheese or hummus to attach a sliced black olive or a round piece of red bell pepper to resemble an iris and pupil.
- Serve on skewers or toothpicks alongside your favorite dip (we recommend a green goddess dip!)
See? Incorporating vegetables into your Halloween festivities doesn’t mean sacrificing fun or flavor. From all of us at Taylor Farms, have a happy and safe Halloween! And don’t forget to use our handy locator to find your favorite products before you set out for your grocery run.
