'Tis the season for gardens and farmers markets to be overflowing with local veggies. Encourage your kids to try a fresh bell pepper by turning it into a crunchy creature from the deep.

Ingredients

• 2 bell peppers
• Dip or hummus

• Black olives

Instructions

1. For the octopus's body, remove the pepper's stem end and scoop out the white ribs and seeds. For the arms, slice a second pepper into strips.

2. Place some dip or hummus (we used French onion dip) in a shallow bowl, and arrange the octopus as shown. Use a bit of dip and sliced black olives to give your creature eyes.

3. Serve with extra veggies, such as carrot sticks, fresh green beans, lightly steamed broccoli spears, sliced cucumber, and jicama sticks.

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• Dips & Spreads |
• Finger Foods |
• Healthy Snacks |
• Red Bell Pepper |
• Summer |
• Vegetarian Snacks

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• Dips & Spreads |
• Finger Foods |
• Healthy Snacks |
• Summer Snacks |
• August 2010 |
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