March WIC Kitchen: Healthy green vegetables for St. Patrick’s day

Mar. 12, 2025

By Mary Wade Burnside and Sarah Moore

St. Patrick’s Day is coming up soon and Monongalia County Health Department’s WIC program likes to celebrate by highlighting green foods. After all, the phrase is “eat your greens,” not “eat your pinks.”
This Healthy Creamy Pea Salad offers a tasty way to present this versatile legume. Peas are high in potassium and aid in regulating blood pressure. They are also high in fiber and antioxidants, so they are good for digestion and preventing cell damage.
Because they are high in protein, those who prefer to leave the bacon out this recipe will still provide the necessary energy-producing nutrients.
The recipe also contains celery, which is the key ingredient in the next recipe, Stuffed Celery. A friend once noted that the green stick vegetable was a conduit for cheese. But why stop there? In addition to cream and cheddar cheese, this snack also features bacon and hot sauce for a zippy treat.
These recipes can be used for a St. Patrick’s Day party or an afternoon snack for hungry kids when they get home from school.

Healthy Creamy Pea Salad
Ingredients:
1 (24-ounce) bag frozen peas, thawed*
1 cup celery, chopped*
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped*
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup real crumbled bacon
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:
In a large bowl combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.
Add peas, celery and red onions. Stir until well combined.
Stir in cheese and bacon.
Refrigerate at least one hour before serving.


Stuffed Celery
Four-five stalks celery, washed and dried*
1 8-oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup bacon, cooked and chopped
½ cup grated cheddar cheese*
1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
1 tablespoon fresh chopped chives
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
Three dashes hot sauce

Instructions:
Cut celery stalks in half and set aside. Using a food processor or hand mixer, whip the cream cheese until smooth. Add in bacon, cheese, parsley, chives, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Pulse or blend until all ingredients are combined.
Using a small spoon, fill the celery “boat” with cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with additional chives and bacon if desired. Serve immediately!
*Ingredients with an asterisk next to them are available through Monongalia County Health Department WIC. Call us at 304-598-5181 for more information.