Guest post by Stephani of Cheapskate Cook
I am zucchini-ed out.
Seriously, there’s a reason why Sneak Some Zucchini on Your Neighbor’s Porch Day is a thing (August 8, if you have a squash handy and unsuspecting neighbors).
Nevertheless, I enjoyed this year’s harvest. This summer more than others because we relied almost entirely on local produce during a 30-Day Challenge to Eat Local on a Budget. It was inspiring and somewhat difficult to say the least, but the experience will be hard to forget. So will all the meals.
We learned a few things about working with the bounty in our region. By far the best lesson was to keep it simple. Either let the produce be the star of the meal… or smother it in cheese and eggs and serve it to your unsuspecting children. Whatever works for you.
Today I’m sharing five meals that will help with the first approach. Later, I’ll share five that are a little more sneaky and picky-eater friendly.
1. Greek Quinoa Salad
This dish is extremely customizable, but the basic concept is this: start with a carb base, load with vegetables, and add a zing of flavor. For this version, I used olives and feta, but you can rely on a favorite dressing, artichoke hearts, or even bacon.
Grain-Free: Technically quinoa isn’t a grain, but if it’s off-limits, use cauliflower rice or Easy Summer Zucchini Noodles.
Frugal Tip: Use pasta instead of quinoa.
Make-Ahead Tips: Quinoa can be cooked ahead of time then thawed if you won’t be around to cook and chill it. Chop vegetables ahead of time.
Side Dish Suggestions: Grilled chicken, big green salad.
2. Grilled Stuffed Tomatoes
This stuffed tomato recipe is frugal and simple.
Make-Ahead Tips: Tomatoes can be cut and filling made the day before and stored in the fridge separately, covered.
3. Pesto Chicken Pasta
This flavor-packed meal is very frugal if you can make your own pesto with a few basil plants or if your CSA has a generous basil harvest. Making pesto takes about two minutes with a food processor and is an easy fix for many different meals. Incorporate these variations as needed:
Gluten-free: Use rice or quinoa pasta or Easy Summer Zucchini Noodles.
Grain-Free: Serve pesto on grilled or baked chicken with a generous side.
Vegetarian: Omit chicken.
Make-Ahead Tips: Use leftover chicken or bake a bunch ahead of time and keep in the freezer. You can also freeze pesto and thaw it the day of.
4. Steak & Tomato Basil Bruschetta
This meal can mostly be prepared the morning of, then assembled in a few minutes at dinner. Tomato & Basil Bruschetta is one of my favorite ways to use leftover pieces from Stuffed Tomatoes or seconds tomatoes (produce with dents or blemishes that you can get for cheap or free). If you’re firing up the grill for the meat, go ahead and grill the bread too.
Gluten-free: Use gluten-free bread.
Vegetarian: Omit steak and serve an additional side.
Make-Ahead Tips: Marinate the steak the morning of, stir up the tomato mixture and store, covered, in the fridge.
5. Easy Summer Zucchini Noodles
If you’re gluten-free, grain-free, or simply looking for ways to increase your vegetable servings, try this. It’s easy and delicious! Alternatively, serve it with spaghetti sauce and Parmesan cheese.
What about you? How do you serve summer produce?
When Stephani and her husband got married, they lived in a renovated shed and had a grocery budget that matched. As a passionate whole-foodie, Stephani was determined to continue eating healthy, minimally-processed foods on their shoestring budget.
Between cooking and baking, Stephani enjoys playing with her two boys, going on dates with her husband, and living passionately with her Lord. She blogs at Cheapskate Cook.
Gabrielle
Such great ideas! My toddler has nut allergies, so we make the French version of pesto, “pistou,” which calls for no nuts whatsoever. Here’s a link to it on my blog: http://www.mamagab.net/2012/06/meal-planning-from-summer-garden-with.html
Kimberly
One of my favorite breakfast recipes is the Sweet and Spicy Eggs and I thought I copied it down before the Cheapskate Cook was shut down. Do you have this recipe? I have now lost it! 🙁
Erin
Oh no! I was wondering what happened. 🙁
Lori
So sad the links to these recipes don’t work!!! I was eager to try them!!!
Holly
Same here!