Vegetable gardening takes a lot of time, attention, and work. The sweet (and savory) rewards are well worth the wait.
From tomatoes, zucchini, and cucumbers to various herbs and root vegetables, gardens often end up producing more than they thought they would. This can leave backyard gardeners with an unforeseen challenge: how to use all the veggies piling up on the kitchen counter!
Instead of baking loaf after loaf of zucchini bread or making yet another tomato salad, we decided to put together a few recipes that use summer garden vegetables in slightly different ways that encourage healthy eating and leave your taste buds satisfied.
1. Basil vinaigrette dressing
Perfect for drizzling over fresh tomatoes or crisp salad with grains, this recipe provides just the pop of summertime flavor you might be looking for.
Vegetables used: Shallot, basil
(Photo: EatingWell) 2. Garden chickpea tomato soup
This soup comes together quickly and uses several common summer vegetables and herbs. Add in pumpkin seeds and fresh parsley to round out the taste.
Vegetables used: Tomatoes, sweet onion, bell pepper, garlic, parsley
(Photo: ForksOverKnives) 3. Peacock vegetables
Slice and dice your way to this homey roasted veggie side dish. Combining zucchini, peppers, squash, and onions with a balsamic dressing gives these vegetables the little extra tang they need.
Vegetables used: Red onion, yellow squash, zucchini, bell pepper, garlic, parsley
(Photo: MidwestLiving) 4. Panzanella (bread salad) with summer vegetables
Crusty toasted bread underneath the vegetables in this salad soaks in the dressing, making it hearty and a great dish to share at big picnics and smaller family gatherings alike.
Vegetables used: Green beans, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, basil, garlic
(Photo: MidwestLiving) 5. Herbed tomato gratin
This baked dish takes a while in the oven, but is so worth it. Putting bread as a base layer allows them to absorb the juices from the dressed tomatoes and create something very special – and delicious.
Vegetables used: Garlic, tomatoes
(Photo: EatingWell) 6. Garden vegetable gnocchi
Tossing the pasta and veggies with an alfredo sauce and some pesto makes for a healthy and uplifting Italian dish that will leave you craving more.
Vegetables used: Yellow squash, bell pepper, mushrooms, basil
(Photo: Taste of Home) 7. Grilled garden veggie pizza
Step 1: Pizza crust. Step 2: Add all the veggies. Step 3: Bake and enjoy. YUM!
Vegetables used: Red onion, bell pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, garlic, basil
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