For those who dislike vegetables and love desserts, a cookbook co-authored by an Iowa State professor may be of interest.

“Vegetable Desserts: Beyond Carrot Cake and Pumpkin Pie” was written by Elisabeth Schafer, professor of food science at ISU, and Jeanette Miller, a dietitian in North Dakota.

All of the desserts found in this cookbook contain vegetables. Schafer said she and Miller thought of the idea because studies have shown that people in the United States are not eating the recommended amount of vegetables.

The cookbook contains about 250 recipes, and 24 different vegetables from beans to carrots are used in the recipes.

“The book is very practical, and it uses familiar vegetables,” Schafer said.

Everything from cakes, cookies, pies, ice creams and candies can be found in the cookbook. Schafer said there is even a pizza made with a sweet potato crust, topped with chocolate chips, coconuts and cherries.

“People get really excited about this,” Schafer said. “They are sold if they taste the food. I feel as if this is a wave of the future.

“Vegetables are important for health, and there are ways of enjoying them,” she said.

Miller said the recipes cover a broad spectrum of cooking skills.

“There are mixes that you can put together in a short amount of time and those that take a lot of time, which are for people who enjoy making things,” Miller said.

Miller said she does not know what her favorite recipe is, but she said she has the most fun with the mystery pie.

“People cannot guess which vegetable is in it,” Miller said.

The cookbook also contains information on how to choose vegetables, how to store vegetables so they retain their nutrients and complete nutritional information.

It took about two years to write the cookbook, but Schafer and Miller have been working together for nearly 10 years.

They met when they were both volunteers at the American Heart Association.

“We have talents that compliment each other. We have a wonderful working relationship,” Miller said.

The cookbook can be found at Waldenbooks in North Grand Mall and can be ordered at any bookstore.