Besides my herbs, tomatoes and kale have been our top producers this season from our garden, we have given away so much kale and it’s still growing! It’s been so nice to walk out to the garden, pick something and then create a meal around it. Cold weather and winter comes too soon here so I’m savoring every last bit of summer.
What’s summer without fresh sliced tomatoes simply dressed with olive oil, basil, salt and pepper? Sometimes I add fresh mozzarella or fresh ricotta or even just plain, it doesn’t matter as long as there’s some good crusty bread alongside, it’s a meal in itself!
Vine ripened cherry tomatoes roasted and tossed in pasta is good plain or with any kind of seafood, topped off with crunchy breadcrumbs and fresh herbs enhances the flavors.
How about a zucchini ricotta pie? You can add tomatoes, grated cheese, onions, garlic, lemon zest and fresh herbs, with or without a crust, either way it’s a great summer meal with a salad.
I have really grown to love kale this year and the fact that it’s so good for you is a bonus!
Pasta with sauteed kale, garlic, roasted tomatoes and cannellini beans graced our table a few times this summer, shave a little pecorino romano on top and you have a nice healthy meal.
Of course everything is cooked with heart healthy extra virgin olive oil, is there really anything else?
I wanted to make ricotta gnocchi, so instead of adding spinach like I normally do, I thought why not try it with kale, I just chopped it up small, sauteed it for a few minutes and folded it right into the ricotta.
This was so good tossed into a light marinara sauce and so quick and easy to make. It’s hard to believe September is right around the corner. Hope you’re enjoying every last minute of your summer!Buon Appetito!
I’m Marie, a wife, mother, mother-in-law, and gramma of two beautiful girls. My passion is food, clear and simple but especially Italian food, hence the name of my blog, Proud Italian Cook. I want you to feel right at home here so grab a cup of coffee, I’ll get the pastries, take a look around and enjoy your visit! {
Mom tried these last weekend. Marie? The entire family loved them! BUT my oldest boy…26 years old….told Mom, you gotta make these all the time! Can you freeze em? I’d like to take some home for my freezer? And if you have any frozen sauce, I would really appreciate it! LOL They are fabulous! Just Fabulous! Mom said…..You are an excellent cook. She says you do it right!
This looks so tasty. you must be a very good cook.
I’m telling ya Marie… you and Linda (CiaoChow) should get on that “Master Chef” show… have you seen it? I would fear for the competition if you were on it!
I want your garden. You have the magic touch with vegatables.
They all look so good, really like the pasta with kale and beans, YAY for heart healthy!
LL
it’s tomato season!!… it’s like Christmas. I love this time of year.
Hi Marie!
I’m finally home from a wonderful vacation and I don’t think I ate as many wonderful entrees in nice restaurants while away as you have made from your own garden!
I also discovered kale this summer and really enjoyed it! I shall have to try it in my ricotta gnocchi.
All incredible, as usual. Each one looks like a winner.
I like the idea of replacing the spinach with kale. Of course, I get excited over anything with cheese and tomatoes.
Everything looks so succulent and vibrant! My garden was so-so — more of a learning experience.
I am whimpering with desire. I am having a vegetarian as a dinner guest and am looking for inspiration. Here it is. How I wish I had the recipe for the gnocchi! Looks lovely, MARIE! I am convinced that Italian food can so easily become flavorful vegetarian dishes. I’m off to figure out how to make this. Wish me luck!
I’d say your garden’s done pretty well.
The tomato w/ ricotta shot makes my knees weak.
Marie, these are simply lovely! It seems like you’ve had a wonderful summer in terms of both the garden and cooking. I had fresh tomatoes last night in a salad of green beans, the tomatoes, red onion, roasted peppers (all from our CSA share) and olive oil, salt and pepper, lemon balsamic vinegar and some parmigiano reggiano. Heavenly!
I love your blog! greetings from Spain!
I could eat all of these beautiful dishes, Marie. There is nothing like eating from garden to plate. I love this time of year!
Your meals look like mine – perhaps because I got so many from you! And yours are still prettier – but is this not the most glorious time of the year? My kale didn’t go and I am actually thinking of planting from seed again – it’s warm enough.
Everything in our garden is just about to ripen. I can hardly wait! Thanks for all the ideas!
So beautiful, Marie! Every dish is perfection and your photos are gorgeous! You are eating very well this summer!!!!
I am not sure which idea that I will try first! I love kale – so that may be the winner! I just love summer vegetables and all of your dishes look incredible.
Everything looks wonderful! Drool….
xo
what we do without those wonderful frsh tomatoes! we have a tomato basil salad a few nights a week, I love having my own basil outside….and all of the other great veggies, I am blessed with a wonderful local farmers market, it will be so sad to see it close this year.
Great produce from your garden, Marie. I wish I had a slice of that zucchini ricotta pie.
the zucchini pie really looks good! and that plate of pasta! oh and that tomato salad!
Marie,
Your dishes are absolutely wonderful looking! I have been dying to make a gnudi, and also a ricotta tart. Kudos to you and your bountiful garden!
I love how you have really made the BEST of your garden harvest…..All the recipes are bookmarked because our summer is just around the corner!!
I’ll admit I am very jealous of your garden
Wow Marie – What a great line-up. I’d love a slice of that zucchini ricotta pie or some of those ricotta kale gnocchi. I have been making pastas with everything from the garden too and will miss the bounty of the garden once summer’s gone.
Oh this makes me yearn so much for a garden! It all looks so fresh and delicious.
You really made the most of your garden’s bounty this summer!
I never get tired of tomato recipes and this season has been such a good one compared to last summer’s tomato blight.
A few more weeks left, and then it’s apple season!
I think I could eat for a very long time… Everything looks absolutely delicious!
Oh my, would I love to have a seat at that table!!