Through a happy coincidence, it turned out we were making Turkey and Mushroom Tacos in our cooking class on Tuesday, thus the kids were excited to celebrate “Taco Tuesday.”

Through an unfortunate mix-up, we were missing two ingredients, an onion and a can of tomatoes. And the kids were so looking forward to chopping that onion with the swimming goggles I brought to class to protect them from the tear-producing onion vapors.

My husband was home and grabbed the ingredients from our pantry, and he got a hero’s welcome from the kids. “Hooray!” they shouted, giving him a round of applause.

Several of the kids were not at all excited about the mushrooms, But I told them, a la the children’s book, “Green Eggs and Ham,” that they might like them, if they tried. “They are so good, so good, you know.”

Hugo Marcelino and Sofia Rivera, donned the goggles and were ready to do battle with the onions. “They really work!” said Sofia. “I’m not crying at all.”

Genesis Bautista took on the green pepper and was so excited to discover the likeness of a four-leaf clover when she cut off the bottom. “Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day!” she said.

Chopping the mushrooms was a much easier task than the onions and all the students took a bunch and created perfect slices.

We talked about how we had five vegetables in these tacos plus a healthy dose of protein from the turkey and cheese. It’s so easy to make a healthier version of so many fast foods, they were told.

Once all the veggies were chopped, and we were ready to start cooking, it was clear Genesis was not familiar with ground turkey. “It looks like worms!” she said.

In fact it does, I told her, but I promised her it doesn’t taste like worms.

Sofia took great pride in breaking up the chunks of turkey as it cooked. “I like chopping up this meat,” she said. “Because I got mad at somebody today and I feel like I’m taking it out on the meat.”

Hugo also took a turn at the skillet and insisted that it smelled like eggs. But once the onions and turkey got cooking, he found it smelled much better, and he was excited to see the change in color. “Look it’s turning from pink to brown!”

Once everything was cooked, it was time to assemble the tacos, and we were down to three students as one was absent and one had to leave early, so each had a job.

Hugo spooned the turkey and veggie mixture into the shell, Sofia added the mushrooms and Genesis sprinkled the cheese on top.

Even before they were put in the oven, these kids were excited.

“They look amazing!” said Sofia.

“I can’t wait to eat them,” said Hugo, who had been satisfying his hunger with handfuls of grated cheese.

There were oohs and ahhs as the tacos were pulled from the oven, the shells crisped, and the cheese melted over the top.

All around, the students gave a thumbs up for the Turkey Tacos.

“Awesome and superb!!” said Genesis.

But Hugo and Sofia did pick out the mushrooms after a bite or two.

“Still don’t like the mushrooms,” said Hugo.

Everyone wanted to bring home leftover tacos, even with the mushrooms.

“I think my family will like them,” said Sofia.