Safe foods at 6 months

Roast until very soft. Scoop flesh and cut into thick spears. Naturally sweet and easy to gum. One of the best first foods.

Roast or steam until very soft. Serve whole spear - the stalk makes a natural handle. Tip should be completely tender.

Roast whole until fork-tender, then peel and cut into thick spears. Naturally sweet. Warning: will stain everything - bib recommended.

Roast or steam until very soft. Cut into long strips. Skin can be slippery - remove if needed. Red and yellow peppers are sweeter than green.

Halve or quarter fresh blueberries - whole blueberries are a choking risk under 12 months. Or mash lightly into yogurt or cereal. Frozen blueberries (thawed and halved) work well.

Separate leaves from stalks (stalks need longer cooking). Steam or stir-fry leaves until very soft. Finely chop and mix into rice or soft grains.

Steam until very soft. Offer the whole floret - the stem acts as a natural handle. Baby will gum the top. Texture should be soft enough to squish easily.

Roast until very soft or steam until leaves separate and are tender. Halve or quarter and make sure fully soft. Sweetens considerably when roasted.

Roast until very soft. Cut into thick spears. Naturally sweet and easy to gum. One of the best first vegetables.

Steam or braise until very soft. Thinly sliced leaves cooked down completely. Mix into other soft foods.

Steam or roast whole until very soft (must be fork-tender all the way through - raw or undercooked carrot is a choking hazard). Serve as whole sticks or halved lengthwise.

Steam florets until very soft - softer than you think necessary. Whole floret works as a handle. Should squish easily between fingers.

Peel and roast or steam until very soft. Cut into thick sticks. Mild celery flavor without the stringy texture risk.

Peel, remove seeds, cut into thick spears. Cucumber has high water content and is cooling - great for teething. Serve chilled for extra soothing effect.

Peel and seed (thin skin, easy to peel). Cut into thick spears. Mild flavor, slightly sweeter than regular cucumber. Great for teething.

Treat the same as slicing cucumber - peel, seed, cut into spears. The smaller size means you'll have plenty to experiment with.

Steam pods and pop out individual beans. Lightly mash each bean before serving - whole soybeans are a choking hazard. A great early allergen introduction.

Roast until very soft and slightly caramelized. Scoop flesh and mash, or cut peeled, roasted flesh into spears. Texture becomes silky when well-cooked.

Roast or braise until very soft. Anise flavor mellows significantly when cooked. Cut bulb into wedges, roasted soft. A distinctive early flavor experience.

Use as a flavor ingredient - roast a whole head and spread the soft cloves into purees or soft foods. Adds flavor without being overpowering when roasted.

Steam until completely soft. Serve whole - the long shape is perfect for tiny hands. Remove tough strings if present.

Add finely minced fresh basil to soft foods, pasta, or eggs as a flavor exposure. Not a standalone food - a seasoning.

Add a tiny amount of finely minced mint to yogurt, fruit purees, or soft foods. Very potent - use sparingly.

Finely minced and added to eggs, pasta, or soft vegetables. A great herb for flavor introduction.

Strip leaves from tough stems. Steam or sauté until very soft. Finely chop and mix into other foods. Not a standalone food at this stage.

Peel and steam or roast until very soft. Cut into thick sticks. Mild, slightly sweet flavor - similar to broccoli stem.

Sauté until completely soft in butter or olive oil. Mild and sweet when cooked. Mix into soft foods or potato purees.

Use as a flavor ingredient - caramelize or roast until very soft. Not a standalone food at this age. Mix into other dishes for flavor.

Roast or steam until very soft. Cut into long spears. Naturally sweet, especially after a frost. A wonderful first vegetable.

Serve whole fresh or lightly cooked peas - their size and roundness make them a great pincer grip practice food around 8-9 months. Under 8 months, lightly mash a few or offer in a mesh feeder. Snow pea pods can be served whole, steamed soft.

Boil or roast until very soft. Cut into thick sticks or wedges. Plain or with a little butter - avoid salt. Skin can help with grip.

Roast or steam until very soft. Cut into thick spears or scoop and mash. Sweet and nutrient-dense.

Raspberries are naturally soft and dissolve easily. Can serve whole - the aggregate structure collapses quickly. Mash into yogurt or oatmeal for variety.

Steam until very soft (the pod should be completely limp). Whole pod works as a finger food - baby can gum the soft pod and squeeze out peas. Remove tough strings.

Wilt in a pan with a little butter or olive oil until completely soft. Chop finely and mix into purees, eggs, or soft grains. Not served as a standalone finger food at this age.

Remove hull, cut into quarters lengthwise. Or mash into yogurt or oatmeal. Watch for any reaction - strawberries occasionally cause mild skin reactions (not a true allergy, but worth noting).

Steam until very soft. Cut into finger-length spears. Very similar to zucchini - same prep applies.

Roast whole until completely soft, then slice into long spears. High in beta-carotene and naturally sweet - an excellent first food. Skin can stay on for grip.

Strip leaves from tough stems (stems need longer cooking). Wilt leaves in a pan with olive oil until very soft. Finely chop and mix into eggs or soft grains.

Cherry tomatoes: cut in quarters lengthwise. Larger tomatoes: remove skin, cut into strips. Tomatoes can be acidic - introduce slowly and watch for reactions.

Peel and roast or steam until completely soft. Mild and slightly sweet when young. Cut into spears.

Blanch or wilt until soft. Finely chop and mix into soft foods. Peppery flavor mellows with cooking.

Steam until very soft (fork-tender). Cut into long spears the length and width of an adult finger - baby can hold and gum. Remove skin if it feels tough.