Summer Vegetable Panini

Although the majority of my cooking includes meat or fish, at the request of my sister Kelly, I wanted to create a vegetarian meal that was as satisfying and flavorful as any other and can be turned into a dinner or lunch during the week or on the weekend. With summer coming to a close I thought it would be best to utilize it’s harvest with a quick and easy vegetable panini that can be completed in less than 15 minutes; a recipe cannot get any simpler, I promise! 

To make this flavorful and healthy panini, begin by washing and preparing all of the necessary ingredients: a large eggplant, a summer squash and zucchini, tomato and bell pepper. After washing, slice all of the vegetables and season with salt and pepper. 

Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large sauce pan. Add the vegetables and cook until softened. While the vegetables are cooking, pick fresh basil, rinse and set aside. Once the vegetables have begun to soften, add a bit of balsamic vinegar and continue to cook until done. 

Turn the panini maker onto high and allow to warm up. If you do not have a panini maker, you can use a griddle just as easily. 

Begin to assemble your sandwich. For this panini, you will want to select a freshly baked bread such as a focaccia or a sourdough. For today, I decided to go with a whole grain Italian bread; the husband loves Italian bread and I had the satisfaction of knowing it was whole grain and heart healthy. It is soft and flavorful, yet sturdy enough to support the many vegetables. 

Layer the vegetables on your bread: eggplant, squash, zucchini, and tomatoes. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and finish off with the fresh basil and a dash of sea salt. Panini the sandwich for 5 to 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the bread has turned golden brown and crispy. 

Transfer to a plate, cut and serve with vegetable chips or a side salad. Enjoy this meal outside with a chilled glass of cucumber water. There are only so many days of summer left so take advantage of both the weather and the abundance of fresh veggies available!

Up next some of my favorite quick breads!