​I'm the fastest growing annual plant. I love the cold, so I'm usually grown in the spring or late fall. I'm usually green, but my flower can also be purple. 

Can you guess what I am?

​I grow on the ground in gardens and farms across the world.

I need sun, cool temperatures, and nutritious soil to grow. I am so easy to grow, I am available year-round. My plant has thick, sturdy stems and large green florets that make me easily recognizable.

​The part that is picked is actually a flower. After I'm picked, I should be kept cool in a damp towel in the refrigerator. 

When you're ready to eat it, just wash with cold water, cut it up, and enjoy raw or cooked. I can be added to soups, salads, and even as a raw snack with dips.
​

Español: brócoli
​
​You're right!

Did you know you can eat the broccoli sprouts, the leaves, and the flower?  The flower is the part you normally eat!

​I am technically a fruit, but you find me in the vegetable section at the grocery store. I am a type of summer squash. I can be green, yellow, or white. The variety you get today comes from Italy. You can eat my flesh, skin, seeds, and even my flower!

​Can you guess what I am?

​I grow on a bush-like vine. I grow in warm climates. I need lots of sun to grow. 

My plant has boy and girl flowers. Bees and other insects pollinate the flowers, and then my fruit grows. 

​I grow fast! Within 1 to 2 months, I'm ready to pick. Keep me on the plant and I will keep growing! The largest of me was over 8 feet long! That's huge! But you wouldn't want to eat me, I'm best when I have the most flavor when I'm small!

Once I'm picked, I can be made into anything, from bread to chocolate cake! 

Español: calabacin

​Did you guess Zucchini? Zucchini can be eaten fresh or made into a lot of foods!

​Feed your food curiosity! Snackster Sam provides fun and educational content about food that grows. Join the adventure. Download the Snackster Sam app from Google Play or the App Store

​I'm native to the United States and have been an important food for American Indians. Now, I'm most commonly eaten for a day full of turkey and stuffing - like Thanksgiving! I have a lot to offer and can be enjoyed year round.

Can you guess what I am?

​I'm a berry, and I grow on vines in northern United States. I grow in a bog, which is a special wetland with sand, gravel, and a plant called peat. My plant grows every year and can live a very long time! I take my sweet time to grow... 16 months! Many people think I grow in water, but I don't.

​I'm actually not picked. The bog where my plants grow are flooded with water. If I'm ripe, I'll float! Then I am picked up with a special truck. 

Even though I take a long time to grow, I never get sweet when I ripen. I'm tart and am usually cooked with sugar. I can also be dried and juiced!

Español: arándano​

Did you eat cranberries for Thanksgiving? Happy Thanksgiving from Snackster Sam! We are grateful for YOU!

Watch the video to learn more about cranberries!

​​Feed your food curiosity! Snackster Sam provides fun and educational content about food that grows. Join the adventure. Download the Snackster Sam app from Google Play or the App Store.
​

​I look a lot like a carrot and I smell like parsley. I'm actually related to both plants.

While I taste delicious, I'm not that popular. It's possible that you have never tried me.

What am I?

​I grow IN the ground. Leave me there until winter's frost, and I become sweeter!

Before cane sugar, I was used to sweeten foods. 

​I'm known for my distinct flavor and crunchy texture.

After I'm picked, I should be put in the fridge and kept cool. I'm most commonly baked, but I can be eaten raw too.

​Español: ​chirivía

Parsnips are full of flavor and sweet crunchy vegetables! If you haven't tried one, you should!

The parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is a root vegetable.
​
The parsnip is native to Eurasia; it has been used as a vegetable since antiquity. It was cultivated by the Romans. It was used as a sweetener before the arrival in Europe of cane sugar.

The plant is closely related to carrot and parsley; all belong to the family Apiaceae. Its long, tuberous root has cream-colored skin and flesh. Left in the ground to mature, it becomes sweeter in flavor after winter frosts.
​
Parsnip Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.

I'm slightly sweet with an unmistakable look. I can be grown from a seed, and I grow so fast! I can even grow fruit in one year after being planted. But, I only live for about five years.

I started growing in Mexico. I love tropical weather (hot and humid).

​Can you guess what I am?

​People think I grow on a tree, but it's actually a large plant. My plant produces boy or girl flowers, which dangle from the center of the plant. Bees and butterflies collect pollen from flowers and share it, which is called cross pollination. After this, my fruit can grow. My leaves are very large, about 20 inches wide! 

​Once my skin is yellowish-orange, I'm fully ripe! But, you can eat the fruit when I'm not ripe - you just cook me like squash. You can even eat my leaves in tea, juice, or cooked. 

My ripe fruit can be eaten raw, roasted, mixed in smoothies, or dried. You've probably tried me in trail mix!

Español: papaya

Have you tried papaya before? Papaya is also called papaw or pawpaw.

​From decoration to pies, I'm a popular fruit. Yes, fruit! I'm not a vegetable. More than 1.5 billion pounds of me are grown in the U.S. every year, usually for holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Can you guess what I am?

​I grow on a vine on the ground. My vine can stretch out a long ways. Most of my fruit is small, but I can be grown to be VERY large! The largest fruit was 2,749 pounds set by Travis Gienger from Anoka, Minnesota in October 2023!

​I'm known for my bright appearance on Halloween, but I'm so much more than that! After I'm picked, I should be put in a dark, cool place. I'm most commonly baked in pies and sweet treats. My seeds can be cooked for a crunchy snack, too!

Español: ​calabaza

​You're right! Pumpkins are just as fun to eat as they are to carve!

Watch the video to see Snackster Sam correspondents try pumpkin seeds!

A pumpkin is a gourd. They are usually orange, but they can also be white. Pumpkins are spheres or stretched-out spheres.

People can eat pumpkins. Often people make pumpkins into pies. People can eat and cook pumpkin seeds. People also use pumpkins for decoration, for example when people make jack-o-lanterns at Halloween.
​
It also has a few noted medicinal use, which are traditionally used in India.
In New Zealand and Australian English, the term pumpkin generally refers to the broader category called winter squash elsewhere.

As one of the most popular crops in the United States, in 2017 over 680,000,000 kilograms (1.5 billion pounds) of pumpkins were produced. The top pumpkin-producing states include Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and California.

According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, 95% of the U.S. crop intended for processing is grown in Illinois. Nestlé, operating under the brand name Libby's, produces 85% of the processed pumpkin in the United States, at their plant in Morton, Illinois. In the fall of 2009, rain in Illinois devastated the Nestlé crop, which combined with a relatively weak 2008 crop depleting that year's reserves resulted in a shortage affecting the entire country during the Thanksgiving holiday season. Another shortage, somewhat less severe, affected the 2015 crop. The pumpkin crop grown in the western United States, which constitutes approximately 3-4% of the national crop, is primarily for the organic market.

Pumpkins are a warm-weather crop that is usually planted in early July. The specific conditions necessary for growing pumpkins require that soil temperatures 8 centimetres (3 in) deep are at least 15.5 °C (60 °F) and that the soil holds water well. Pumpkin crops may suffer if there is a lack of water or because of cold temperatures (in this case, below 18 °C or 65 °F; frost can be detrimental), and sandy soil with poor water retention or poorly drained soils that become waterlogged after heavy rain. Pumpkins are, however, rather hardy, and even if many leaves and portions of the vine are removed or damaged, the plant can very quickly re-grow secondary vines to replace what was removed.

Pumpkins produce both a male and female flower; they must be fertilized, usually by bees. Pumpkins have historically been pollinated by the native squash bee Peponapis pruinosa, but this bee has declined, probably at least in part to pesticide (imidacloprid) sensitivity. Ground-based bees such as squash bees and the eastern bumblebee are better suited to handle the larger pollen particles that pumpkins create, but today most commercial plantings are pollinated by hives of honeybees, which also allows the production and sale of honey that the bees produce from the pumpkin pollen. One hive per acre (4,000 m2 per hive, or 5 hives per 2 hectares) is recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If there are inadequate bees for pollination, gardeners often have to hand pollinate. Inadequately pollinated pumpkins usually start growing but abort before full development.

Giant pumpkins
Giant pumpkins at a "heaviest pumpkin" competition. "Giant pumpkins" are a large squash (within the group of common squash Cucurbita maxima) that can exceed 2,000 pounds in weight. The variety arose from the large squash of South America through the efforts of botanical societies and enthusiast farmers.

Source: Pumpkin Facts for Kids . Kiddle Encyclopedia.

​I come from Mexico where I am commonly set out as a tasty and crunchy snack. 
 
I defend myself with poisonous leaves and beans. My plant looks like peas but the part you eat is in the ground.

Can you guess what I am?​

​The part you eat grows under the ground and is a swollen root. The root swells up instead of branching out and holds all the nutrients. This is how a potato grows, too!

I am usually dug up once I'm the size to fit in the palm of your hand and am 1 to 5 pounds, but I can grow really large. The heaviest of me weighed 21 kg (46 lb 4.8 oz) and was grown by Leo Sutisna in Indonesia.

​After I'm dug up, I can be stored in a dark place for up to 2 months. Because I defend myself from pests, it's important to cut off my skin and wash me. 

I'm most commonly cut in spears (like fries) and seasoned with chili powder and fresh lime juice. I can also be baked or sautéed and added to stir fry. 

​Español: jícama
Pronounced: hi-kuh-muh 
​
Did we stump you? See if you can find jicama at the grocery store. It tastes a lot like an apple with the texture of a raw potato. Remember to peel off the skin before eating it. 

Watch the video to learn more about the health benefits of Jicama!

Halloween is a time of excitement for kids, but for those with food allergies, juvenile diabetes, or malnutrition, candy can be dangerous and even deadly. This can be a serious bummer for parents and children alike. In order to make Halloween a fun holiday for everyone, it is important to consider non-candy, non-food treat options.

There are many options available that are not only safer, but also more fun for kids and can provide lasting memories. The following are the top 10 non-candy, non-food Halloween treat ideas:
​
Here are our top 10 non-candy, non-food Halloween treat ideas:

• ​Scary Stickers
  ​You can get Halloween stickers in boxes or by the sheet and cut individual stickers out
• Vampire teeth
  Makes for a scary, fun time!
• Glow sticks/bracelets 
  Glow sticks or bracelets usually come in packs of 10. The best part is this treat helps kids stay safe in the dark.
• Bouncy eye balls 
  How high can your eye ball bounce?!
• Temporary Tattoos 
  Need we say more?
• Halloween erasers 
  Halloween themed erasers are fun and practical!
• Spider rings 
  Scary and exciting!
• Bug Flingers 
  Stretch them and watch them fly across the room! 
• Bubbles 
  Always a classic treat for kids with almost endless fun!
• Play-Doh​ 
  Watch what excitement a few Play-Doh containers will provide!

These options do not need to cost more than traditional candy bags and can be found at many stores such as local dollar stores or discount stores. In addition to being safer, non-food options can also help kids stay safe in the dark, such as with glow sticks or bracelets.

To take it to the next level and let families know you are offering non-candy items, consider setting a painted teal pumpkin outside. This is part of the Teal Pumpkin Project, which aims to promote inclusion for kids with food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

Overall, non-candy, non-food Halloween treats can provide a fun and safe alternative for all kids to enjoy. Consider adding some of these treats to your Halloween basket and making lasting memories with your loved ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some creative non-food Halloween treats?
There are plenty of creative non-food Halloween treats that you can give out to trick-or-treaters. Some examples include glow sticks, Halloween-themed accessories like spider rings or vampire teeth, temporary tattoos, small toys like bouncy balls or slime, and mini coloring books with crayons.

What are some non-candy Halloween treats for school?
If you want to give out non-candy Halloween treats for school, there are many options available. Some ideas include Halloween-themed pencils, erasers, stickers, bookmarks, and mini notepads. You can also consider giving out small toys like Halloween-themed stress balls or fidget spinners.

What are some DIY non-candy Halloween treats?
DIY non-candy Halloween treats can be a fun and creative way to give out treats to trick-or-treaters. Some ideas include making Halloween-themed slime, creating Halloween-themed friendship bracelets or keychains, or making Halloween-themed sensory bottles. You can also consider making Halloween-themed bookmarks or coloring pages to give out.

What are some non-candy Halloween treats for toddlers?
When it comes to non-candy Halloween treats for toddlers, it's important to choose items that are safe and age-appropriate. Some ideas include Halloween-themed board books, small stuffed animals, bubbles, or Halloween-themed sippy cups. You can also consider giving out Halloween-themed stickers or temporary tattoos.

What are some healthy Halloween treats?
If you're looking for healthy Halloween treats to give out, there are many options available. Some ideas include mini bags of pretzels, popcorn, clementines, or trail mix. You can also consider giving out small packages of dried fruit or fruit snacks. Another option is to give out small bottles of water or juice.

Can homemade treats be given out on Halloween?
While homemade treats can be a fun and personal touch, it's important to take precautions when giving out homemade treats on Halloween. Make sure that the treats are made in a clean and sanitary environment, and that they are wrapped or packaged securely. It's also a good idea to label the treats with a list of ingredients in case of any allergies.

Feed your food curiosity! Snackster Sam provides fun and educational content about food that grows. Join the adventure. Download the Snackster Sam app from Google Play or the App Store!
​

​I'm delicate like a rose because I come from the rose family. I'm usually green or yellow, but I can be brown, red, and a bit orange. I'm known for my unique shape, but I can be round like an apple, too.

Can you guess what I am?

​I grow on a tree that lives a long time, around 75 years! My tree can even be used to make musical instruments and furniture. Orchards and backyard trees are common places to find me. When my blossoms bloom, it's a sign of spring. I prefer climates with a mix of warm and cool temperatures, like Oregon and Washington. 

​I'm tough on the tree, but I ripen after I'm picked. When I become ripe, I am soft on the inside. In fact, I'm so soft that people used to call me "butter fruit."

I am handpicked off the tree. Then I'm hand packed into boxes and sent to grocery stores. You can eat me fresh or use me in baking desserts or add to salads.

Español: pera

That's right! There are over 3,000 kinds of pears! Pears are great raw, canned, or baked! 

DID YOU KNOW

• Pears ripen after it is picked off the tree
• Every pear in the United States is picked by hand!
• The cells on the skin of pear are called "stone cell" (you can feel that in its gritty texture)
• Pears are part of the rose family
• Pears used to be called "Butter Fruit" for its buttery-texture

HOW TO EAT IT
Pears can be enjoyed raw, canned, and baked! ​

I am a colorful fruit cherished for my sweet and crisp characteristics. People use me in a variety of dishes, from salads to stir-fries, for a burst of flavor and color. Based on my color, I can have a different flavor from bitter to sweet. I can be green, red, yellow, orange and even white, purple, or brown.

Can you guess what I am?​

​I grow on a plant on the ground in warm and sunny climates. The ground needs to be fertilized (given food to help me grow) for 3 years before I can be planted! My plant's white flowers are pollinated by the wind (not bees like many fruits).

​Even though I'm tough and crunchy, I'm sensitive to any changes like too much water or cold. Farmers pick me when I'm ripe for the best flavor. Many people want to eat me only if I look perfect, but even if my shape looks different, I taste the same! Once I'm picked, the culinary possibilities are endless! I can be added fresh to salads, sautéed, or baked and can be added to endless recipes from tacos, spaghetti, and chili. 

​Español: pimiento morrón

That's right! Bell Peppers are sweet and crunchy fruits that can be eaten raw or cooked!

HOW IT GROWS
Bell peppers grow on plants that grow about knee-height high. Farmers fertilize (nourish) the land up to three years before planting bell peppers on it. Peppers are handpicked and finish ripening on their way to the grocery store. While peppers grow best in warm climates, a touch of cold weather sweetens it.

Watch to learn more about How it Grows! 

DID YOU KNOW

• All bell peppers start as green
• Red peppers are ripe green peppers
• It takes up to 3 years to fertilize the ground to produce large peppers
• Bell peppers are technically berries! ​

​
HOW TO EAT IT
Bell peppers are delicious sliced and eaten raw. You can sautée peppers and add to stirfries, pasta, and more. Bell peppers are also cut up and added to salsas and sauces. Try cutting out the top and stuffing the pepper with rice and other vegetables, and baking it. ​

Or try our Colorful Bell Pepper Nachos recipe.

​I'm a frilly, leafy green for my color and crunch. I'm usually green, but I can also be light green, red, or purple. People include me in salads, smoothies, and various dishes.

Can you guess what I am?​

​I grow on the ground and I love the cold... but not too cold! Pick me before the frost for the best flavor. I've made a comeback in popularity, but I've been around for about 2,000 years tracing back to Europe! ​​

Español: col rizada

​That's right! 

Have you tried kale before? Watch the video to learn more!

Try kale (even if you don't like kale) with this delicious Kale Monster Smoothie! It's a real crowd pleaser!

​Get more facts like this on the Snackster Sam app.

​Snackster Sam provides fun and educational content about food that grows. Join the adventure. Get it where you get apps!

​Don't make me blush, but I'm very popular. Even if people say they don't like me, I'm in most meals you like. 

I'm usually bright red, but I can be green, yellow, orange, and even purple. Sometimes even a mixture of those colors in one fruit.

​Can you guess what I am?

 grow on a vine on the ground. My plant has green leaves and yellow flowers, and I'm usually found hanging from vines. I'm a warm-weather lover, so you'll spot me in abundance during the summer months.

I'm technically a fruit because I grow on a flowering plant (even though people often think I'm a vegetable).

​Pick me from the vine and pop me in your mouth! Or, you can add me to salad, soup, salsa, and sauce... for your pizza.

The options are unlimited with me.

​Español: tomate

That's right! 

There are over 7,500 kinds of tomatoes! If you haven't tried one you like, keep trying different tomatoes or ones cooked in different ways!

DID YOU KNOW

• Tomatoes turn red from the inside out
• The ripest tomatoes of a crop are used to make sauce
• Tomatoes are native to the Andes in South America
• Tomatoes became popularized in Italy
• Tomatoes come in many colors and sizes, including yellow, green, orange, purple, and of course, red. 

HOW TO EAT IT
Eat tomatoes fresh, chop it and add to salads, salsa, bread and more! Cook it and add it to soups or make sauces. Or freeze it to cook it later. ​

I grow on the ground on a plant and thrive in warm and sunny climates, making me a common sight in countries like the United States, India, and Africa. In fact, I'm native to Africa.

I grow on a tall plant with beautiful yellow flowers, so I'm often planted in gardens for my beauty. My plant is related to the popular hibiscus flower. My love for sunshine and well-drained soil helps me flourish.

Español: okra

Have you guessed the mystery vegetable? That's right! Okra can be used many ways and brings a unique texture to dishes around the world and beauty to gardens. Whether you like me fried, stewed, or pickled, I'm here to add flavor and texture to your favorite recipes. So, next time you see me at the market or in your garden, be sure to grab some okra and enjoy its culinary magic!

​​​​Feed your food curiosity! Snackster Sam provides fun and educational content about food that grows. Join the adventure. Download the Snackster Sam app from Google Play or the App Store.

Español: melón
​
Have you guessed what the mystery fruit is? That's right! I am a melon, a sweet and juicy fruit that's perfect for beating the heat. Whether you enjoy me in slices, in a salad, or blended into a drink, I bring a burst of refreshment and flavor to your summer days. So, next time you see me at the market or in your kitchen, savor the sweet and juicy goodness of the wonderful melon!

​Watch the video to learn more!

​​​Feed your food curiosity! Snackster Sam provides fun and educational content about food that grows. Join the adventure. Download the Snackster Sam app from Google Play or the App Store.

​I am a popular fruit known for my sweet and sometimes sour flavor, as well as my crisp texture. People enjoy me fresh as a snack, but I'm also used in pies, juices, and many other delicious treats. When you cut me in half, you will see a star.

Can you guess what I am? 

I grow on trees in many parts of the world. My trees bloom with blossoms in the spring. Some types of me are ready for picking in the summer, while others are at their best in the fall. 

​To grow the right fruit, farmers use grafting, which means the farmer adds a piece of a tree that is growing the fruit they want into a different young tree.

Once I'm picked, there are endless ways to enjoy me. Some people like to eat me fresh, biting into my crunchy flesh. Others prefer to turn me into sauce or bake me into pies, crisps, and tarts. You can also find me as a key ingredient in refreshing juices, ciders, and even used to make butter!
​​
Most stores sell me all year long even though I grow during the summer. That's because I can be "put to sleep" in a low oxygen storage center, so I am available to eat all year round!

Español: manzana

​Did you guess apple? Next time you visit an orchard or the grocery store, pick up some apples and explore the tasty possibilities they offer! 
​
Apple is the second most popular fruit in America (behind bananas)! There are over 7,500 kinds, too!

Apples are the apple of our eye! One of Snackster Sam's first discoveries on the Blue Planet was apples. They grow on trees and come in thousands of varieties. 

HOW IT GROWS
Apples seem simple enough, but there is a lot more to this fruit than you know! 

Apples grow on trees. Before the apple can grow, the tree fills with blossoms. The flowers are pollinated by bees and then the apple can grow. 

Apples are harvested at the end of summer. 

DID YOU KNOW

• There are over 7,500 different types of apples grown throughout the world.
• It takes 4-5 years for a tree to produce an apple
• The largest apple ever grown was 4 lbs 1 oz!
• Each seed is unique and can grow a new kind of apple
• Apples can be "put to sleep" so they are enjoyed year-round.​
• ​The crab apple is the only kind of apple native to North America. Over 2,500 types of apples are grown in the United States. Red Delicious, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Braeburn, McIntosh, Rome, Granny Smith, and Gala are a few of the most popular varieties grown in the U.S.
  
• An apple tree can live 40-100 years!

Ready to try apples in a new way? Try this apple lollipop recipe.