I got my gang to eat veggies by cutting out the starch. I served the meat and veggies on a little plate and then put the pot of kraft dinner in the centre of the table and told them when they had made me some room by eating some of the food I would fill the space with the KD. For some it took several days and others got it right away. Eventually I was able to go back to bigger plates and all three catagories on it. I also have a rule that the first plate of food has to be finished - I am giving child friendly portions so no reason for it not to disappear - before they get anything more. Those that finish move on to fruit, pudding/yogurt, etc. Those that don't continue to stare at their lunch till the meal is over. I am not denying anyone "dessert" but I am not rewarding not eating the nutritious foods first. Getting the extras is an earned privilege. Besides if a child isn't hungry enough to finish their meat and veggies then it would be rude of me to put even more food in front of them even if it is yummy.

I put puree veggies in a lot of foods and they don't notice. As you said, they will pick them out if they see them. Remember that pumpkin is considered a vegetable so in cookies or muffins it is a way to sneak it in. Have done this with meat in muffins too - ever had muffins with the puree portion being part banana and part puree chicken - they never complained, lol. Not something I resort to on a regular basis but every once in awhile you have that child that is sickly from being so picky and you try to do what you can to help out.