This gorgeous dish comes together with only a few ingredients and very little active prep. It’s the perfect example of using olive oil as Mother Nature’s “sauce”—a drizzle right before serving turns EVOO into the star of this dish. Read the fine print on frozen puff pastry labels—many brands are loaded with artificial ingredients and no butter! I like the Bronx, New York-based Dufour Pastry Kitchen brand—the company is run by women and the results are delicious (they also make a vegan version). Any dough trimmings can be twisted into spirals, brushed with egg, sprinkled with grated cheese, and baked on a separate sheet of parchment for about 20 minutes.

Squash stuffed with a cheesy flan is a beautiful cool weather dish, whether served as a side or as a meatless entrée. Feel free to use other varieties of squash, though baking times will vary according to their size.

A member of the carrot family (though its bulbs grow above ground), anise-y tasting fennel is a popular ingredient in southern Italy. This easy gratin is a good accompaniment to roast meat or chicken.

Also known as pasta ca’ muddica in Sicily, this southern Italian dish is rustic food at its best. My version enhances it with walnuts and diced tomatoes. Though the breadcrumbs stood in for cheese when the latter wasn’t affordable, feel free to serve with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano.

Although they’re named after a Belgian city, this popular member of the brassica family is thought to have been first cultivated in Rome. To shave the sprouts safely, I recommend using the thin
slicing disk on your food processor—not a mandoline or knife.

This classic three-color salad was inspired by the green, white, and red of the Italian flag and comes together in no time. The flavors meld perfectly in this chopped version.

This twist on traditional potato pancakes gets sweetness from parsnips and a hint of tartness from the apple, plus garnishes that add more levels of flavor. Eggs replace flour as the binder, making this version gluten free as well.

Fragrant and richly hued, yellow rice takes the standard side dish and elevates it. This recipe gets another taste boost from the green peas.

Wonderful when made with thin French green beans called haricots verts, often available frozen year-round.

Fragrant and richly hued, yellow rice takes the standard side dish and elevates it. This recipe gets another taste boost from the green peas.

These cukes make a zesty side dish and a terrific addition to sandwiches, burgers, and salads. They’re ready in less than an hour, but the flavor will intensify the longer they marinate in the fridge (bring them back to room temperature before serving).