Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing and brushing
• 3 medium zucchini (1 1/2 pounds), sliced lengthwise 1/4 inch thick
• 2 long, narrow eggplants (1 1/2 pounds), peeled and sliced lengthwise 1/3 inch thick
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 large shallot, minced
• 1 pound plum tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (3/4 cup)
• 1/4 cup chopped basil
• 1/3 cup panko or coarse dry bread crumbs

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 425°. Oil 2 large rimmed baking sheets. Put the zucchini slices on one sheet and the eggplant on the other. Brush the slices all over with oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange the slices on each sheet in a slightly overlapping layer. Bake for 15 minutes, until tender.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the shallot and cook over moderate heat until softened, 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook over high heat until slightly softened and bubbling, 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.

Oil a large, shallow baking dish (about 10 by 15 inches). Lay half of the eggplant in the dish and spread one-fourth of the tomatoes on top. Scatter with half of the feta and basil. Layer half of the zucchini on top, followed by another one-fourth of the tomato and the remaining basil, eggplant and zucchini. Top with the remaining tomato and feta. Mix the panko with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and sprinkle over the casserole. Bake in the upper third of the oven for 20 minutes, until bubbling and crisp. Let stand for 5 minutes, then serve hot or warm.

Food & Wine

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground fenugreek
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped mint
• 1/4 cup chopped dill
• 1 large eggplant, halved lengthwise and sliced about 1/3-inch thick
• 4 to 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, to taste
• Salt
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 4 Italian frying peppers or 2 green bell peppers, cut in 2-inch slices
• 4 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, lightly crushed
• 2 medium zucchinis, sliced about 1/2-inch thick
• Black pepper
• 1 pound tomatoes, peeled and roughly chopped, or a 14-ounce can diced tomatoes, with juice
• 2 bay leaves
• Chopped fresh herbs, for serving
• Yogurt, for serving

OPTIONAL:

• 3 artichoke hearts, quartered
• 1/4 pound green beans, trimmed
• 1/4 pound small okra, ends trimmed

Preparation

1. Stir together the tomato paste, 1/2 cup water, vinegar, sugar, cinnamon, fenugreek, paprika and half the parsley, mint and dill.

2. Heat a large, heavy nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Toss the eggplant slices with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and salt to taste. Lightly brown, 3 to 5 minutes, as much eggplant as will fit in one layer in the pan, then turn and lightly brown the other side. Remove to a Dutch oven or earthenware casserole. Repeat with the remaining eggplant. (Alternatively, toss the eggplant with the olive oil in the casserole, cover and roast at 450 degrees for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.)

3. Turn the heat down slightly and add a tablespoon of oil and the onions to the skillet. Stir often until they soften, about 5 minutes, and add the peppers. Stir until the peppers and onions are limp, 5 to 8 minutes, and stir in a generous pinch of salt, half the garlic and the coriander seeds. Stir until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer to the casserole with the eggplant. Add another tablespoon of oil and the zucchinis to the skillet. Cook, stirring or turning the zucchinis often until lightly colored on both sides and translucent, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, add the remaining garlic, stir for 30 seconds to a minute, and transfer to the casserole.

4. Add the tomato paste mixture to the skillet and bring to a boil. Deglaze the pan, stirring and scraping with a wooden spoon. Pour into the casserole, and add the tomatoes, bay leaves, 2 more tablespoons olive oil, if desired, and the artichoke hearts, green beans and okra, if using. Season generously with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer (over a flame tamer if using earthenware). Cover, reduce the heat and cook gently, stirring from time to time, until the vegetables are very soft, about one hour. Stir in the remaining herbs and simmer for another 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings. If possible, refrigerate overnight before serving warm or at room temperature, with yogurt and chopped herbs.

Yield: 6 servings.

New York Times

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1 med onion
• 2 zucchini
• 2 yellow squash
• 1 small can of lima beans
• 1 small can of corn kernels
• 1 small can mild green chile

Preparation

Melt butter and cook zucchini, squash, and onion until softened. Add limas, corn, and green chile and cook until heated. Serve.

Ingredients

• 1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon turmeric, divided
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, divided
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup quinoa (about 6 ounces), rinsed well, drained
• 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• 1 1/2 pounds medium zucchini (about 5), trimmed, quartered lengthwise
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 4 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

Preparation

Combine garbanzo beans and lemon juice in large bowl. Add 3 tablespoons oil; press in garlic and stir to combine. Let marinate at least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, and 1/2 teaspoon paprika; stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 2 cups water, quinoa, and coarse salt; bring to simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until all water is absorbed, about 16 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare barbecue (medium high heat). Place zucchini on rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil. Sprinkle with ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, and 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Toss to coat evenly.

Place zucchini on grill; sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Grill until tender and browned on all sides, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to work surface. Cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces. Add zucchini, green onions, and parsley, then garbanzo bean mixture to quinoa. Toss to blend. Season with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.

Bon Appetit, August 2008

Ingredients

• Salt (for the cooking water, plus teaspoon or more to taste)
• 8 ounces dried penne pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 ounces (12 thin slices) pancetta, cut into ¼-inch dice
• 1 medium onion, preferably sweet, such as Vidalia or Mayan, cut into ¼- to ½-inch dice (1 cup)
• 1 pound zucchini, preferably 4 small ones, cut into ½-inch dice
• Leaves from 6 stems basil leaves (3 tablespoons), chopped
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

You can use this recipe as a template, replacing the vegetable and the fresh herbs.

Preparation

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the penne and cook according to the package directions. Drain and hold in a colander.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large (at least 12-inch) skillet or shallow braising pan over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until the pieces start to turn translucent but not brown. Add the onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pieces soften.

Add the zucchini and the teaspoon salt (or to taste) and stir to incorporate; cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender. Add 2 tablespoons of the basil and the pepper to taste.

Combine the cooked penne with the vegetable mixture in a large serving bowl, preferably warmed. Garnish with the remaining tablespoon of basil. Serve warm, with Parmesan for passing at the table.

Stephanie Witt Sedgwick

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1/2 c vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups grated zucchini, squeezed of excess moisture
• 1 1/2 cups ground pecans or walunts

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.

Whisk together first four ingredients. Blend the next 5 ingredients in a bowl. Stir in the dry ingredients. Blend in the zucchini and nuts with a few swift strokes. Scrape the batter into the greased pan. Bake until the bread pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 45 min. Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes before unmolding to cool completely on the rack.

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