Green Almond Bars

This is a variation on my Basic Bars recipe.  Spinach (and other green vegetables) make them green!  Almond extract and almonds give them flavor.  Oats and ground flax seeds make the healthy.

Mix these dry ingredients:
3 c. rolled oats, ground to a coarse flour in a blender
1 c. raw sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
about 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
about 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg (I just sprinkled in the spices)
1 box Jell-O Vanilla Pudding Mix

In a separate bowl, mix these wet ingredients:
1/4 c. ground flax seeds, whisked with 1/2 c. water (this is the egg replacer)
1 and 1/2 cups green veggie puree (I used spinach and winter melon from the farmer's market.  I think Japanese winter melon is similar to Chinese pumpkin - a light green color and watery texture.)
1/4 c. oil
1 TABLESPOON almond extract

Mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients and add about 1 cup sliced or chopped almonds.

Bake in a 9x13" pan for about 30 minutes at 375 F.  Let cool in pan before cutting.

You could leave out the pudding mix and oil to make these healthier.  I think they'd be good with chopped dried apricots.