Dole works with Pixar’s ‘Monsters’ to take the fright out of fruit

Horned melon. Dragonfruit. Artichoke. Suggest to a kid that they might like these fruits and vegetable, they might wrinkle their nose and purse their lips in disgust.

Dole Food Company is trying to battle that negative perception with the help of Pixar characters from “Monsters, Inc.” franchise. The two are teaming up this summer to launch an initiative to widen the public’s produce horizons and help create new family favorites beyond the tried and true.

“Dole’s passion for produce includes not only America’s favorites – bananas, apples, lettuces, celery, carrots and broccoli – but dozens of more diverse and exotic fruits and vegetables liked horned melon, dragonfruit and artichokes,” William Goldfield, Dole’s director of communications, said. “Whether it’s their angry names and thorny exteriors, or simply a misperception about taste and preparation, produce paranoia has become a very real phenomenon.”

Even the beloved pineapple, “the fruit at the very heart of Dole and the universal symbol for aloha and hospitality, can strike fear in those tasked with having to cut and serve one,” he said.

The company has original recipes, serving suggestions, digital and social activations, family-friendly activities and trivia to celebrate the not-so-scary realm of the world’s more unusual fresh produce options.

Dole worked closely with the team at Pixar and Disney to create 10 original “Monsters in the Kitchen” recipes inspired by Sulley, Mike, Roz, Boo and other Monstropolis residents. The first five scary delicious dishes created by Melanie Marcus, MA, RD, Dole’s health and nutrition communications manager, were added to the Dole recipe library today.

• Chicken Stuffed Roz Heads: Create the face of the iconic Monsters, Inc. receptionist by topping DOLE^® Avocado halves stuffed with lean chicken breast, DOLE^® Green Grapes, DOLE^® Celery and nonfat Greek yogurt with pretzel twists and sticks, and DOLE^®  Strawberry and Blueberry slices. 

• Monster Mash: This frighteningly simple side dish is made with DOLE^® Plantains and Spinach, potatoes, and a drizzle of olive oil and maple syrup.

• Green Slime Nacho Cups: DOLE^® Plantains, Avocados and Purple Cabbage come alive in this ultimate monster snack.

• Slippery Slimy Smoothie: The whole family will love this monster-green concoction of DOLE^® Spinach, Bananas, Green Grapes and cucumbers blended with almond milk and nonfat Greek yogurt.

• Green Slimesicles: Dessert time takes an icky-but-tasty turn with these healthy frozen popsicles made from DOLE^® Spinach, Bananas and Pineapples.

A series of activity sheets including DOLE^® Banana Sticker Peel-and-Play collectors’ sheets, a Monsters produce-matching game, and DIY monster masks and crafty ways to turn fruit and veggies into friendly kitchen monsters can be found at the  Dole At-Home Resource Page. 

Dole social activations, produce trivia, five additional character-inspired recipes and several DIY recipe videos, will be revealed later this summer.

Dole is also out to “correct some everyday produce myths ranging from brussels sprouts will always taste bitter to there is no good use for overripe bananas. Plus, we’ll lay to rest forever the misconception that only perfectly ripe, unblemished produce is worthy of our recipes and attention,” Goldfield said.

In addition, “we’ll remove the anxiety and show you how to cut a DOLE^® Tropical Gold^®Pineapple once and for all,” he said.