Roasted Broccoli by John Spottiswood

This roasted broccoli recipe, adapted from the Barefoot Contessa, is really wonderful. It has a lot of flavor. We served it with a mild pasta, and it was just a wonderful combination. Don't be worried by the lemon juice and zest. They impart a subtle flavor that adds a nice dimension to this dish.

Brussel Sprouts Sauteed in Garlic & Olive Oil by John Spottiswood

This is a simple, tasty side dish to add to your menu. I've adapted it from Marcella Hazan's recipes for other vegetables. It tastes GREAT with Brussel Sprouts. Broccoli is good too.

Deep Fried Brussels Sprouts by Nate Appleman

This dish will go with just about any main - pasta, meat, small plates. Whatever you're in the mood for.

Roman-Style Spinach by John Spottiswood

This is a great new way I've learned to cook spinach. I wouldn't have thought of adding sweetness to spinach, but I really like the way the currants and pine nuts contrast with the slight bitterness of fresh spinach. This is a new winner that I'll be cooking frequently in the future!

Garlic and Oregano Roasted Tomatoes by Denise Fletcher

These plump, scarlet, glistening little bullets of flavour are wonderful bobbing about in soup, tumbling around strands of spaghetti or linguine, smooshed into a herby, dimpled foccacia, stirred into steaming risotto or rice or riddling a fat, buttercup-yellow omelette. The uses for them are legion. And, nothing could be simpler. You…

Roasted Asparagus and Parmesan by Nancy Miyasaki

This is a simple and delicious Italian recipe adapted from the Barefoot Contessa. We leave out the egg and sometimes the lemon (depends on what you are serving this with).

Funghi trifolati ("Truffled" mushrooms) by Frank Fariello

This is one of the easiest and most versatile vegetable dishes in the Italian repertoire: funghi trifolati, or 'truffled' mushooms, so called because the thinly sliced and sautéed mushrooms are said to resemble that other, more highly prized tuber. I use two methods to make funghi trifolati, and both are equally easy:

Polenta al forno by Massa

This recipe is from Piemonte, in Italy.

Plum tomatoes roasted with fresh basil by Nancy Miyasaki

When plum tomatoes are on sale this summer, grab a bagful and make this simple and delicious side dish. It goes great with just about anything you will cook on the grill--steak, lamb, chicken or fish. Or just have it as part of a vegetarian meal. However you serve it, you and your guests will love it!

Blue Lake Green Beans with Crispy Prosciutto by Draeger's Cooking School

Squash Blossoms, The Edible Flowers And How To Fix Them by kathy gori

This is the time of year when squash blossoms are found in Farmers Markets all around Sonoma. If you've never cooked or eaten squash blossoms, well then you've missed one of the big pleasures of the summer garden. I first had these as a kid when I was still in the "eeewwww we're eating flowers?" phase. They're a big favorite among…

Quick Broccoli Side Dish by Mary Shaldibina

Italian seasoning and crunchy pine nuts really jazz up the flavor of this versatile veggie side dish.

Italian Green Beans by Mihir Shah

Very simple and fresh dish - served best family style with your favorite pasta or sausage.

Roasted Pepper Halves with Bread Crumbe Topping Peperoni Arrostiti by Catherine Pappas

Adapted from: Lidia’s Italian-American Kitchen. These make a delicious appetizer or side dish. Enjoy and Cook with Love, Catherine

Frico alla friulana by Massa

Grilled Cheese Friuli style.