Grilled Peppers & Zucchini
Serve these classic grilled vegetables from Domenica Marchetti’s The Glorious Vegetables of Italy atop warm bread.
Ingredients:
3-4 frying peppers
2 zucchini, sliced into ¼-inch pieces
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 garlic clove, sliced thin
Sea salt
Method:
1. Preheat gas or charcoal grill to medium-high, then place whole peppers on grate and grill until skins are blistered and blackened. Add zucchini slices and also grill until just soft with grill marks.
2. Transfer grilled peppers to a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and let stand about 10 minutes. Remove peppers and lay on cutting board. Cut each in half, seeding and stemming, then scrape off charred skin with a knife. Cut into thin strips.
3. Drizzle olive oil over peppers and zucchini, season with salt and sprinkle with parsley. Toss to coat, then add slices of garlic. Allow to sit for 30 minutes to meld flavors before serving.
Variation: Try rubbing both the zucchini and peppers with our signature F&L dry rub before grilling—delicious!
Local, Fresh, Convenient CSA Subscriber?
Have our fresh Farm & Larder goods hand-delivered to your home each week.
Grilled Corn Salad with Sweet Peppers
This warm salad is crisp and crunchy, boasting a wonderful smoky flavor from the perfectly-charred corn and peppers.
Ingredients:
4 ears sweet corn, shucked
2 sweet peppers, halved and seeded
2 ½-inch-thick onion slices
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
1 teaspoon chopped oregano
1 tablespoon finely-chopped chives
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Place corn on the grill rack; grill 20 minutes or until charred here-and-there, turning occasionally. Place in a large bowl; cover with foil. Leave in a warm location 10 minutes, then cut corn kernels off cobs, encouraging clusters to stay intact, if possible.
2. Meanwhile, place the peppers and onions on grill rack, and grill 4 minutes on each side. Remove from the grill and coarsely chop both the peppers and onions.
3. Combine the chives, cream, oregano, vinegar and garlic with a healthy pinch each of salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add peppers, onions and corn; toss gently to coat. Serve warm.
Local, Fresh, Convenient CSA Subscriber?
Have our fresh Farm & Larder goods hand-delivered to your home each week.
Grilled Padrón Peppers
These small, slightly-sweet (but sometimes spicy!) peppers get an extra dose of smoky flavor courtesy of a quick sear on the grill.
Ingredients:
½ pound Padrón peppers, washed and thoroughly dried
1 tablespoon olive oil
Coarse sea salt, such as fleur de sel or Maldon
Method:
1. Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill to high (about 450° to 550°). Meanwhile, place the peppers in a medium bowl, add the olive oil, and toss to coat; set aside.
2. When the grill is ready, place the peppers on the grill in a single layer, making sure they’re not touching. Grill uncovered, turning occasionally, until the peppers start to char and blister, about 6 to 8 minutes total.
3. Remove to a serving plate, season immediately with the sea salt, and serve.
Local, Fresh, Convenient CSA Subscriber?
Have our fresh Farm & Larder goods hand-delivered to your home each week.
Fried Jimmy Nardello Peppers with Halloumi Cheese
Golden, gooey cheese nuggets are tossed with peppers and lemon for this flavorful starter.
Ingredients:
8 ounces halloumi cheese
2-3 Jimmy Nardello peppers
Juice from half of a lemon
2-4 tablespoons olive oil for frying
Pinch red pepper flakes
Fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Drain the halloumi and cut it into cubes, then pat cubes very dry with paper towels. Slice the peppers in half lengthwise and remove the stem and any seeds. If there are any large, thick ribs, remove them as well, then slice the peppers in half inch slices.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat, adding more as needed to evenly coat the bottom of the skillet. When hot, add the cubes of halloumi and peppers and cook for a few minutes without stirring, until the bottoms of cheese are well-browned, and peppers begin to char.
3. Flip the halloumi and peppers with a pairs of tongs. Once cheese is browned on both sides, remove to a paper-towel lined plate; continue to cook and toss the peppers until they are as soft and blackened as you’d like, about 5 minutes more.
4. Transfer the fried cheese and peppers to a bowl along with any oil in the pan. Grind black pepper over the cheese, add the red pepper flakes and the lemon juice. Stir well, and serve warm or at room temperature.
Local, Fresh, Convenient CSA Subscriber?
Have our fresh Farm & Larder goods hand-delivered to your home each week.
Grilled Vegetable Salad
Tossed with a balsamic dressing, this gorgeous salad pairs well with protein hot off the grill.
Ingredients:
1 medium eggplant, cut lengthwise into ¼-inch-thick slices
2 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise into ¼-inch-thick slices
2 small or one medium summer squash, cut lengthwise into ¼-inch-thick slices
1 bunch spring onions, trimmed of root ends
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
1 red pepper, seeded and cut into quarters lengthwise
¼ cup olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
¼ cup fresh basil leaves, cut into a thin chiffonade
¼ cup toasted pine nuts
For the dressing:
½ cup olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat.
2. Combine all the vegetables in a large bowl and toss with olive oil, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Carefully lay out all the vegetables on the rack and grill until all are tender and slightly charred, pulling off vegetables as they are done. (Some will cook quicker than others.)
3. Meanwhile, prepare the vinaigrette by whisking all ingredients together in a small bowl. Check for seasoning and add salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
4. Remove vegetables from grill; cool slightly. Cut any larger vegetables into 1-inch pieces. Arrange vegetables on a large serving platter and toss gently with the reserved vinaigrette. Garnish with the basil leaves and pine nuts; serve either warm or at room temperature.
Local, Fresh, Convenient CSA Subscriber?
Have our fresh Farm & Larder goods hand-delivered to your home each week.
Grilled Lemon-Garlic Zucchini
Brushed with a herb-kissed butter mixture, these zucchini slices pair well with grilled chicken, fish or steak.
Ingredients:
2 medium zucchini, cut diagonally into ½-inch thick slices
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons freshly-chopped parsley
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together butter, garlic, parsley and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Brush zucchini slices with butter mixture.
2. Heat a grill to medium-high. Add zucchini in a single layer and grill until lightly charred on both sides and just beginning to soften, about 2 minutes per side. Serve immediately, garnished with additional parsley and salt and pepper, if desired.
Local, Fresh, Convenient CSA Subscriber?
Have our fresh Farm & Larder goods hand-delivered to your home each week.
Grilled Halloumi & Vegetable Kabobs
These kabobs are incredibly colorful, accented by halloumi cheese and fresh oregano.
Ingredients:
8 ounces halloumi cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 Corne di Tori sweet peppers, seeded and cut into large slices
½ purple eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 zucchini, sliced in half and then cut into 1-inch slices
1 onion, peeled and sliced in half, then cut into 1-inch slices
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons oregano leaves
1 lemon
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Wood or metal skewers
Method:
1. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high. (If using wooden skewers, place in a sheet pan and cover with water; allow to soak while prepping the other ingredients.)
2. Thread the chopped ingredients onto skewers, alternating between cheese and vegetables (peppers, eggplant, zucchini and onion pieces).
3. In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons olive oil with a dash of salt and pepper, then brush each skewer kabob on both sides with the mixture. Additionally, slice lemon in half.
4. Grill each kabob, flipping occasionally, until vegetables are tender and slightly charred, and the cheese is golden. While kabobs are cooking, also grill the lemon halves, flesh side down until slightly charred.
5. Remove kabobs and lemon from grill and transfer kabobs to a platter. Drizzle with additional 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with oregano. Squeeze juice from the grilled lemon over top.
Local, Fresh, Convenient CSA Subscriber?
Have our fresh Farm & Larder goods hand-delivered to your home each week.
Grilled Lacinato Kale Spread
This creamy spread from the new cookbook, Any Night Grilling, is delicious slathered on slices of grilled bread.
Ingredients:
1 bunch Lacinato kale
1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for grilling
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
Pinch red pepper flakes
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
½ cup crumbled sheep’s milk feta
Rustic bread, such as this week’s Italian Rustica, sliced
1 clove garlic, peeled and halved lengthwise
Flaky sea salt
Method:
1. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium high, then carefully wipe the preheated grates with a lightly-oiled paper towel.
2. In a large bowl, combine the Greek yogurt with the olive oil, lemon juice and zest, and red pepper flakes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then fold in the sheep’s milk cheese.
3. Working in batches, grill the kale leaves until lightly charred, 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and cool slightly. Use a knife to trim the thick ribs from each leaf, then finely chop the kale leaves. Fold into the yogurt mixture.
4. Grill the bread slices over direct heat until charred, about 1 minute per side. While still war, rub 1 side of each toast with the cut side of the garlic. Top each toast with a slather of creamy kale, drizzle with olive oil and top with flaky sea salt, then serve.
Local, Fresh, Convenient CSA Subscriber?
Have our fresh Farm & Larder goods hand-delivered to your home each week.
How-To: Dry Chili Peppers
Two simple ways to preserve these spicy peppers to use in recipes all winter long!
Ingredients:
Basque or any other thin-skinned chili peppers
Method:
Air-dry method: Wash your chili peppers thoroughly after picking to remove any dirt, then dry. Place on a plate or a wire rack in a dry, well ventilated room. You can also string the chilies up on string or thread and hang to dry. Within several weeks, you will have dried chili peppers and you can grind them up or use them as ornaments as desired.
Oven-dry method: Wash your chili peppers thoroughly after picking to remove any dirt. Cut them in half, lengthwise to expose the pepper innards. Arrange the chili peppers over a baking sheet. Bake at low heat, about 100°-135°. There is no set time to bake the chili peppers for drying. Keep an eye on them, turning every few minutes or so. You can leave the oven door cracked for some air flow. It will take several hours with this method. Keep in the oven until the moisture has been baked out of them. Use as desired!
Local, Fresh, Convenient CSA Subscriber?
Have our fresh Farm & Larder goods hand-delivered to your home each week.
Pan-Fried Peppers with Lemon & Garlic
Seasoned with slivered garlic, this Bon Appetit recipe is a favorite for enjoying fresh peppers.
Ingredients:
½ pound Jimmy Nardello peppers, or any combination of late summer peppers, left whole
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ teaspoon coarse sea salt, plus more for serving
2 large garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Method:
1. Heat heavy large skillet over high heat. Add vegetable oil and swirl skillet to coat. Heat until oil is very hot and begins to shimmer, about 1 minute.
2. Add whole peppers and ¼ teaspoon coarse sea salt; stir constantly until peppers are blistered over half their surface, occasionally shaking skillet, about 2 minutes. Add thinly sliced garlic and continue to stir constantly until the peppers are blistered all over, about 2 minutes longer (some will be soft and some will be slightly firm, depending on size).
3. Transfer peppers to paper towels to drain briefly, then place in a medium serving bowl. Add 2 teaspoons lemon juice; sprinkle generously with additional coarse sea salt and toss to coat. Serve immediately.
Local, Fresh, Convenient CSA Subscriber?
Have our fresh Farm & Larder goods hand-delivered to your home each week.
Local, Fresh, Convenient CSA Subscriber?
Have our fresh Farm & Larder goods hand-delivered to your home each week.