Grilled Vegetable Salad With Garlic Dressing

Photo: flickr user FotoosVanRobin

Ingredients

2 red and/or yellow sweet peppers

2 Japanese eggplants halved lengthwise

2 mediums zucchini or yellow summer squash halved lengthw

(or 8 to 10 yellow sunburst or pattypan squash) see * Note

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cups dried tortiglioni or rigatoni

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

(or red wine vinegar)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon water

1 teaspoon bottled roasted minced garlic

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper

3/4 cup cubed fontina cheese - (3 oz)

1 tablespoon snipped fresh Italian parsley - (to 2)

Preparation

* Note: If using sunburst or pattypan squash, precook for 3 minutes in a small amount of boiling water before grilling.

Halve sweet peppers lengthwise; remove and discard stems, seeds, and membranes. Brush sweet peppers, eggplants, and zucchini with the 1 tablespoon oil. To grill, place vegetables on the grill rack directly over medium-hot coals. Grill, uncovered, for 8 to 12 minutes or until vegetables are tender, turning occasionally. Remove vegetables from grill; cool slightly. Cut vegetables into 1-inch pieces.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. For dressing, in a screw-top jar combine balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar, olive oil, water, bottled roasted minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Cover and shake well.

Drain pasta. Rinse with cold water; drain again. In a large bowl combine pasta and grilled vegetables. Pour dressing over salad. Toss lightly to coat. Stir in cheese; sprinkle with parsley.

This recipe yields 4 servings.

Make-Ahead Tip: Cut up cheese; wrap and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Prepare dressing; cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Remove from refrigerator about 15 minutes before tossing with salad.

Comments: Vegetables, sweet and smoky from the grill, give pasta and cheese a jolt of flavor and color. By doing the grilling ahead, and storing the savory dressing in the refrigerator, this flavor-filled dish is done in the time it takes to simmer pasta.