Zucchini

A soothing soup for any time of year.

Serve this entrée with crusty bread to help catch all the juices, and pour a light Italian white wine, such as Pinot Grigio. For dessert, spoon minted fresh berries atop vanilla frozen yogurt.

The perfect accompaniment to grilled fish, chicken or meat. Try cooked bell peppers, mushrooms and onions over the coals, too.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This frittata is a marriage of ideas gleaned from two similar dishes tasted in the Piedmont: a delicious zucchini and herb "frittela" at the restaurant Guido in Costiglioli d'Asti and a spinach "frittatini" (both were miniature frittate) at the humble but superb Osteria dell'Unione in Treiso.

You can grill the zucchini alongside the grilled charmoula lamb chops , then loosely cover it to keep it warm while the lamb is standing. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 30 min

A nice accompaniment to grilled sea bass, scallops or shrimp.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

The fennel mayonnaise below makes an excellent dip for these zucchini spears if serving them as an hors d'oeuvre. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Serve this with crusty bread to soak up the delicious olive oil.

This is a colorful variation on the classic potato latke.

I leave the roots on the leeks until after cooking, so they don't fall apart. Just wash and trim beforehand.