Eatable Alphabet: D is for Dill
This is part of our Eatable Alphabet™ blog series developed in partnership with ChopChop Family. ChopChop Family collaborated with the American Academy of Pediatrics to create these amazing activity cards which get kids to engage with whole foods, one of the easiest ways to encourage healthy eating. ChopChop makes it fun, fun, fun and we LOVE what they do and hope you do, too!
What’s the deal with dill? It’s a tender, wispy herb that, while delicate in appearance, packs a colorful and flavorful punch. Dill has been popular for centuries, and was even used as an ancient remedy for all sorts of ailments. Today, it’s a star ingredient in many dishes–from pickles to dips to dressings. Plus, it’s packed with essential nutrients like vitamin C, magnesium, and vitamin A to support a healthy immune system.
Enjoy this post all about delicious dill and ways to get your kid excited about it! (And don’t miss the special offer at the bottom to get your very own Eatable Alphabet™ cards!)
3 Fast Facts About Dill
- Dill has been used for ages to help calm tummy aches. Dill’s name actually comes from the old Norse word, “dilla” which means “to soothe or lull.”
- Forget about four leaf clovers, in 1st century Rome, dill weed was considered a good luck symbol.
- Chewing dill seeds can help get rid of hiccups!
How to Choose, Store, and Wash Dill
- You’ll find dill in the produce department with the fresh herbs. Choose dill that’s bright green with no wilted leaves.
- Store your bunch of dill in a jar or glass of water (like flowers), then cover the top with plastic and keep it in the fridge.
- Since it’s so delicate, don’t wash dill until you’re ready to use it. Rinse it under cool, running water to remove any dust or insects. Then pat it dry with a washcloth or paper towel.
How to Prep Dill
Dill is super tender and feathery – handle it with care!
- Gather the leaves into a bunch and tear, cut, or snip them away from the tough outer stems.
- Using a knife, slice the leaves into smaller pieces.
Oodles of Ideas For Eating Dill
A sprig of dill can dress up any dish. As a garnish, it adds a nice pop of bright green and tastes like a cross between licorice, fennel, and other grassy herbs like parsley. We love it sprinkled on top of roasted vegetables, mixed into lemony rice, or stirred into chicken soup just before serving. Here are 3 kid-approved ChopChop recipes:
- Easy Dill Pickles – Do you have the patience to wait for these to get good and sour? Let’s see!
- Zippy Potato Salad – Dill makes for a pretty presentation in this fresh and herby potato salad.
- Ranch Dressing – In the 1950s, Steve Hanson served a special new dressing at Hidden Valley Ranch, his California dude ranch. Now it’s the most popular salad dressing in the United States!
Find more recipes on Chop Chop!
Tips for Having Fun (and Learning!) with Dill
- Grab a handful of dill and use your imagination. What does dill look like to you? Maybe a tree, a broom, or a bouquet of flowers?
- Dill is so versatile that you could eat it with every meal of the day. Try this dill-infused menu: Add it to scrambled eggs at breakfast, in your salad at lunch, on top of fish at dinner, and mixed with hummus for a snack.
- Want to get multicultural? Dill appears all over the world in various cuisines. Look for it in Scandinavian, Middle Eastern, Russian, and Greek dishes.
- Dill is a very easy herb to grow (even indoors!), it only takes about two months to reach maturity. Give it a try!
Do you have more ideas or recipes? Please share them in the comments below! And if you're interested in more Eatable Alphabet posts, click here.
About ChopChop Family
ChopChop Family, is the non-profit publisher of Eatable Alphabet Kitchen Activity Cards for Kids and the award-winning ChopChop: The Fun Cooking Magazine for Families. Their mission is to inspire and educate families to cook and eat real food together. ChopChop The Fun Cooking Magazine for Families is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and winner of the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award for Publication of the Year. Visit their shop and use code HELLOBELLO15 for 15% off their Activity Cards, magazine subscription, and more!
About Eatable Alphabet
Developed in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics, and with funding from the CDC, Eatable Alphabet™ teaches toddlers that cooking real food is fun.
The cards offer a portable, accessible way to:
- Cultivate bonding between kids and caregivers
- Promote early nutrition awareness
- Experience the senses of sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste
- Introduce language, including some Spanish words, and food literacy
- Learn counting and early STEAM knowledge
- Teach valuable life skills
