La Dolce Vita: Good Food, Good Life
Living la dolce vita is easy when you have good friends and good food in your life! When cooking Italian cuisine, one of the best ways to ensure “the good life” is to use the freshest, highest quality ingredients when preparing your meals. Artichokes, eggplants, greens, peppers, squash, and tomatoes are just some favorites that are essential ingredients in Italian dishes. Try the following Italian-inspired recipes that feature fresh produce.
Panzanella, the humble Tuscan bread salad born from peasant wisdom, is a testament to the “waste not, want not” philosophy. Chunks of crusty Italian bread soak up a vibrant dressing of red wine vinegar and extra virgin olive oil, mingling with juicy, sun-ripened tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, bold red onion, fresh basil, and Parmesan shavings. You’ll love this Panzanella recipe from The Pioneer Woman.
Minestrone is Italy’s chameleon soup, adapting its personality to the seasons. This hearty soup starts with a base of beans and vegetables that welcomes whatever produce the garden or grocery store has to offer. From the tender green zucchini of summer to the sturdy squash and kale of fall and winter, minestrone evolves throughout the year, always maintaining its comforting qualities. A Simple Palate’s Authentic Italian Minestrone Soup is hearty, richly flavored, and perfect for transitioning from summer to fall.
This Simple Italian Grilled Zucchini recipe from An Italian in my Kitchen transforms humble summer squash into a smoky delicacy with just a few simple ingredients. Sliced lengthwise and kissed by flames, the zucchini develops alluring char marks and a tender, almost creamy interior. Garlic, chopped Italian parsley, salt, and a drizzle of olive oil finish the dish. Put grilled zucchini on any antipasto platter, or enjoy as is with Italian crusty bread. Or you can grab your spiralizer and use zucchini to prepare Inspired Taste’s Best Zucchini Noodles We’ve Made. This dish is super fresh, super fast, and super flavorful.
A colorful caprese salad features the colors of the Italian flag—green, white, and red—and serves as an antipasto. Our recipe for Classic Caprese Salad is the perfect start to any meal, and the balsamic glaze is a delicious game-changer.
Peperonata is a quintessential dish from Southern Italy that features bell peppers. With its bright colors, bold flavors, and healthy vegetables, peperonata makes any meal better. Try Simply Recipes’ Peperonata (Sautéed Peppers and Onions). Serve with chicken or pork dishes, or top garlic-rubbed bread with peperonata.
Whether you’re making any recipes here or Sicilian-style Pasta alla Norma with roasted eggplant or a homemade Pizza Margherita with peak-season tomatoes, fresh produce often makes the meal! And in honor of National Family Meals Month™, embrace the Italian approach to dining by structuring some of your meals into traditional courses, like a light antipasto of cured meats and cheeses, followed by a primo of risotto or soup, then a hearty secondo of meat or fish, accompanied by a vegetable-based contorno. This method not only showcases a variety of flavors but also encourages leisurely dining and quality time with loved ones.
