Steamed courgette cubes

A soft cube that squashes under your finger, firm enough not to slip out of the hand and never watery or collapsed.

Put one or two cubes down at a time and let your baby pick them up.

The skin must be peeled; the cubes are cut big enough to grasp and not into small round pieces. Raw or firm courgette is never served.

Serve as soon as it is made. If you want to keep what is left over, refrigerate it and use it within 2 days. Throw away a half-eaten portion rather than storing or reheating it.

Your baby should be sitting upright and someone should stay with them while they eat. Add no salt, sugar or honey; honey is not given before one year. Your baby may not have teeth yet, so every piece must be soft enough to squash with gums. Babies do not all manage the same texture at the same age — follow your baby's pace rather than pushing. If your baby has an allergy, eczema, or a family history of allergy, talk to your GP or health visitor before introducing new foods.