So we have a lot of readers. And we post a lot of stuff. Mostly totally tasty dishes that don’t break the bank, but also tutorials, tips/tricks, and crafts. But like I said, were mostly all about the food. And good food too, although not necessarily always good for you. So I suppose the question was inevitable, even though it still caught me a bit off guard.

The Sons look pretty healthy, so where are all the leafy greens? Where are all the yummy veggie side dishes I’m holding back?

well there are several answers. First, with four boys and busy schedules I heart a good casserole. It’s the kitchen equivalent of one stop shopping. The Sons also usually have a salad before or with each meal, so even on nights we’re not doing a casserole, I don’t always stress a ‘veggie’ per say. And then those nights that we do have a side of broccoli, or cooked carrots, or peas etc, I tend to keep it either pretty plain or just tend to pay it no mind.

But we have heard your request! And this tian is always an instant hit at our table. It’s a great way to brighten up your table and your meal with a pop of color. It’s also a totally tasty way to get your veggies in.

Parmesan Vegetable Tian

recipe adapted from The Comfort of Cooking

cooking spray
1 tbsp olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 large yellow onion, diced
3 tsp minced garlic
1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced (1/8″)
1 medium yellow squash, thinly sliced (1/8″)
1 medium baking potato, thinly sliced (1/8″)
2 medium Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced (1/8″)
heaping 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
3 tbsp grated Parmesan

Directions

1. Use your cooking spray to lightly coat a pie pan or a small casserole dish.
2. Heat the olive oil in a small skillet. Once hot, add the chopped onion and garlic, and cook until the onions are soft, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the onion mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out over the bottom of pan. Evenly arrange the sliced vegetables on top, alternating as you go. Once you get all the way around, continue layering to fill the middle until no open space remains.
3. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil all over the layered veggies and sprinkle generously with Italian seasoning, before adding salt and pepper to taste. Cover with aluminum foil and bake covered at 400 degrees for 40 minutes.
4. Remove the aluminum foil and sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan over top of the vegetables. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown.

Have you started planting your garden yet? Are you already picturing the multitude of fresh veggies you’re going to enjoy in just a few months? Now that we’ve seen the last of Winter and the warmer weather is here to stay, I can’t wait to get my hands on some fresh vine ripened tomatoes and a ton of summer squash. And those are two things I just love.

I could lived off of tomato sandwiches on toast. I remember every summer growing up and going to Grandma’s house and her serving us up tomato sandwiches with ones fresh picked from the garden and so juicy they’d drip right down your chin if you weren’t careful. There wasn’t any delicacy better. It’s still my favorite summer time treat. Although tomato pie has become a close runner-up. And squash? I never thought I’d get my guys to willingly, and eagerly consume something like squash. I was not a very enthusiastic squash eater growing up, but that was because back then I didn’t know you could do anything with it beyond a microwave and a little bit of salt and pepper. My, my, my how things have changed.

Let’s talk recipes that take your summer squashes to the next level for a minute. Here’s the short dish list of some of the sons’ favorites:

Pimento Cheese Stuffed Squash

Zucchini & Squash Au Gratin

Cheesy Zucchini Rice

Zucchini Fritters with Chili Lime Mayo

We love taking such an old staple as squash and upgrading it from the country cottage table level and giving it that fancy city-fied attitude.

And while those recipes were all well and good, something was still missing for me. I felt I hadn’t quite achieved the zenith of squash and tomato perfection. Close, but no cigar. And then I had a thought. Zucchini and tomatoes paired together in one perfect side dish. Add in a little gnocchi, fluffy little potato pillows of perfection, and we were more than in business. We were booming.

The flavors in this dish meld into one perfect ‘ah-ha’ moment in your mouth. We love the texture and just the over all cheesiness that the mozzarella adds, but feel free to leave it off if you’re trying to go for lighter fare.

Baked Gnocchi with Zucchini & Tomatoes

recipe adapted from Chew Nibble Nosh

3 cups zucchini, sliced and halved or quartered
1 cup onion, roughly diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes with Italian spices (basil, garlic, oregano)
1 (17 oz.) package gnocchi (potato dumplings)
2 cups sliced mozzarella cheese, divided

Directions

1. In a large skillet, sautee the onion and garlic in the olive oil over medium high heat. Saute about 5 minutes or until the onions are soft, and then add in the zucchini. Cook, stirring occasionally, for another 5 minutes. Add the can of tomatoes, stirring to combine. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to medium low, and then let the mixture simmer while the gnocchi cooks according to it’s package directions.
2. Drain the gnocchi when it’s done cooking.
3. Add salt and pepper, to taste, to the zucchini mixture and stir. Gently stir the gnocchi into the zucchini mixture and let everything simmer together for about a minute. Remove the skillet from the heat.
4. Spoon half of the gnocchi mixture into a 8 or 9 inch square baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Take half of the mozzarella cheese and sprinkle it on top of the gnocchi mixture. Layer the remaining gnocchi on top of the cheese and then arrange the remaining cheese over that layer of gnocchi.
5. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Turn the broiler of your oven on and broil, watching carefully, for 2-3 minutes until the top begins to brown.
6. ENJOY!