Well, there's always that old standby green jello and applesauce.
Linda C

Why does it have to be a salad?

lindac: Do you mix the green jello and applesauce? I do think applesauce on its own is a good choice!

kandm: Well. Because I've already got the stuff for the sandwiches and brownies are the dessert. So I need something to "fill the dinner in" and thought sandwiches and salad worked well. Sandwiches and soup would work well too, but its hot enough I don't think it'd get easier.

If you have any more ideas, my ears are open!

I'd run any ideas by the grandma. She knows what the child likes/dislikes.

How about a cold soup?

Strawberry Bisque
From Carnival Cruise Lines

3 c strawberries, washed and hulled
1 ½ c water
¾ c sugar
3 T lemon juice
1 t grated lemon peel
1 ½ c red wine
1 c. sour cream
fresh mint leaves
Directions:
Combine strawberries, ½ c water, and sugar in a blender. Cover and blend the mixture until pureed. Stir in lemon juice, peel, 1 c. water and wine. Stir in sour cream until blended. Chill for several hours before serving and garnish with mint.
Posted 4/07 by Sillysillyme

I think I'd just puree or mash the sweet potatoes. Most kids like sweet things and the adults won't mind the potatoes being mashed. In fact in my family my mother deliberately makes them that way. I'm probably check with Grandma to see if he'd eat them anyway.

What about a cold soup? It could be pureed for everyone or just a portion pureed. Gazpacho comes first to mind but there are also cucumber or melon.

The Moroccan tomato or cantaloupe mint at Epicurious.com catch my eye. Googling cold soup brought up a list by ingredient at soupsong.com.

Here is a link that might be useful: Soupsong site has cold soups by ingredient

This is my mom's recipe. You'd have to chew it, but it is slippery. It's a very good salad for a summer picnic, my mom always gets raves about it.

Cucumbers in sour cream
3 cukes, peeled and thinly sliced. If I was worried about the slipperyness factor, I'd seed them and chop them somewhat fine.
Juice of one lemon, about 2-3 TBLSP, so if you're making this with reconstituted lemon juice, start with 2 TBLSP and add more if you like more zing.
3 TBLSP chopped chives or 3 finely chopped scallions (or less onion, make to your taste, it's best with fresh chives if you can get them)
1 cup sour cream, I use lowfat
1 - 1.5 tsp. salt (to taste)
1/8 tsp. pepper (to taste)

Let marinate for at least an hour for the flavor to develop.

I would be very careful about creating a recipe for this child. If he has had a feeding tube for so long he may be very sensitive to many of the ingredients everyone is suggesting.

Please ask his primary caretakers (parent, grandparent - whoever is generally responsible for feeding him) before preparing any food for him.

Dissolve lime jello in a cup of boiling water, add a cup of apple sauce....make the apple sauce cold so it partially sets the jello, refrigerate until set and serve.
You can sub 7-up for the water if you want.
Very toddler friendly!
Linda C

I agree with Mimes. There are too many factors in play here. It's good that he is being included in a party, able to come, and that alone is a plus I would think. His family is willing to bring something suitable for him and why change the menu which may (maybe) cause worries for them that he may not be able to handle and embarrass him despite your good intentions. I have a friend that has an eating/swallowing problem and the simplest food can cause her terrible choking or digesting problems, often ending back in the hospital.