Artichoke hearts and olive oil bring a taste of the Mediterranean to eggplants, zucchini and red bell peppers. (Linda Gassenheimer)

Artichoke hearts and olive oil bring a taste of the Mediterranean to eggplants, zucchini and red bell peppers. (Linda Gassenheimer)

Mediterranean summer stir-fry a colorful vegetarian meal

Markets are filled with eggplants, zucchini and red bell peppers because they’re at the peak of their season.

By Linda Gassenheimer / Tribune News Service

Summer vegetables are at the peak of their season and markets are filled with eggplants, zucchini and red bell peppers. I’m always tempted to buy them all at once, but I want to use them immediately. My answer is to use them in a stir-fry. This is a colorful vegetarian meal.

Artichoke hearts and olive oil bring a taste of the Mediterranean to the summer vegetables. A light tomato sauce finishes the dish to make a perfect topping for angel hair pasta.

Helpful hints:

■ For easy stir-frying, place all of the prepared ingredients on a cutting board or plate in order of use. Then, you won’t have to look at the recipe after you start to cook.

■ Make sure your wok or skillet is very hot before adding the ingredients.

Countdown:

■ Place water for pasta on to boil.

■ Prepare vegetables and stir-fry.

■ Cook pasta and serve.

Shopping list:

To buy: 1 small bunch fresh basil, 1 medium eggplant, 1 small zucchini, 1 small red bell pepper, 1 jar canned artichoke hearts, 1 package whole wheat thin spaghetti, 1 can reduced-sodium crushed tomatoes, 1 bottle minced garlic, 1 bottle cayenne pepper, 1 small piece Parmesan cheese, 1 can olive oil spray.

Staples: olive oil, onion, salt and black peppercorns.

Mediterranean summer vegetable stir-fry

For the sauce:

1½ cups canned reduced-sodium crushed tomatoes

3 teaspoons minced garlic

⅛ teaspoon cayenne

½ cup chopped, fresh basil

For the stir-fry:

Olive oil spray

1½ cups sliced onion

1½ cups eggplant cubes with skin, (about ½ inch)

¾ cups zucchini cubes, (about ½ inch)

¾ cup red bell pepper cubes, (about ½ inch)

4 canned artichoke hearts, quartered (about 1½ cups)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

To finish the dish:

¼ pound whole wheat thin spaghetti

3 teaspoons olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Place a large saucepan filled with 3 to 4 quarts of water on to boil.

Reserve 1 tablespoon basil for garnish. Mix together crushed tomatoes, garlic, cayenne and ¼ cup basil. Set aside.

Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat and spray with olive oil spray. When wok is hot, add onion, eggplant and zucchini. Toss 2 minutes. Add bell pepper and artichoke hearts. Stir-fry 4 to 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss and remove to a bowl. Pour sauce over vegetables.

Add pasta to boiling water and cook 8 minutes or according to package instructions. Drain.

Add olive oil to wok. When wok is smoking, add drained pasta. Toss well for about 2 minutes — the pasta should be crisp. Divide pasta between two dinner plates. Spoon vegetables on top. Sprinkle with reserved basil and Parmesan cheese.

Makes 2 servings. Nutrition per serving: 530 calories (35% from fat), 20.4 grams fat (3.1 grams saturated, 5.6 grams monounsaturated), 9 milligrams cholesterol, 17.3 grams protein, 76.1 grams carbohydrates, 15.6 grams fiber, 575 milligrams sodium.

Linda Gassenheimer is the author of over 30 cookbooks, including her newest, “The 12-Week Diabetes Cookbook.” Listen to Linda on www.wdna.org and all major podcast sites. Email her at linda@dinnerinminutes.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

What’s Up columnist Andrea Brown with a selection of black and white glossy promotional photos on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Free celeb photos! Dig into The Herald’s Hollywood time capsule

John Wayne, Travolta, Golden Girls and hundreds more B&W glossies are up for grabs at August pop-up.

Rodney Ho / Atlanta Journal-Constitution / Tribune News Service
The Barenaked Ladies play Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville on Friday.
Coming events in Snohomish County

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Edmonds announces summer concert lineup

The Edmonds Arts Commission is hosting 20 shows from July 8 to Aug. 24, featuring a range of music styles from across the Puget Sound region.

Big Bend Photo Provided By Ford Media
2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend Increases Off-Road Capability

Mountain Loop Highway Was No Match For Bronco

Cascadia College Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Midori Sakura looks in the surrounding trees for wildlife at the North Creek Wetlands on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia College ecology students teach about the importance of wetlands

To wrap up the term, students took family and friends on a guided tour of the North Creek wetlands.

Mustang Convertible Photo Provided By Ford Media Center
Ford’s 2024 Ford Mustang Convertible Revives The Past

Iconic Sports Car Re-Introduced To Wow Masses

Kim Crane talks about a handful of origami items on display inside her showroom on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Crease is the word: Origami fans flock to online paper store

Kim’s Crane in Snohomish has been supplying paper crafters with paper, books and kits since 1995.

The 2025 Nissan Murano midsize SUV has two rows of seats and a five-passenger capacity. (Photo provided by Nissan)
2025 Nissan Murano is a whole new machine

A total redesign introduces the fourth generation of this elegant midsize SUV.

A woman flips through a book at the Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pop some tags at Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley

$20 buys an outfit, a unicycle — or a little Macklemore magic. Sales support the food bank.

The Mukilteo Boulevard Homer on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Homer Hedge’: A Simpsons meme takes root in Everett — D’oh!

Homer has been lurking in the bushes on West Mukilteo Boulevard since 2023. Stop by for a selfie.

Sarah and Cole Rinehardt, owners of In The Shadow Brewing, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In The Shadow Brewing: From backyard brews to downtown cheers

Everything seems to have fallen into place at the new taproom location in downtown Arlington

Bar manager Faith Britton pours a beer for a customer at the Madison Avenue Pub in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Burgers, brews and blues: Madison Avenue Pub has it all

Enjoy half-price burgers on Tuesday, prime rib specials and live music at the Everett mainstay.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.