Summer Vegetable Polenta

Polenta and Veggies

Polenta & Veggies, Next DayThis little dish is a riff on one my dad used to make.  I can’t say for sure that he invented the idea of veggies layered between creamy polenta, but then again, I can’t say he didn’t invent it.  He used spinach, tomato and lots of cheese in his – and boy howdy, was it delicious.  To me it is “peasant” food and comfort food at its best.  Simple, versatile and possibly better the next day.

In a way, this is two dishes in one.  The night that it is prepared it resembles a porridge.  The next day, it takes on characteristics of lasagna.  Either way, it’s a yummy, filling meal that is a great way to use a variety of garden vegetables.  I used peppers and summer squash because that’s what is coming in right now, but eggplant would be wonderful, mushrooms most welcome and tomatoes quite a tasty, juicy addition.

Summer Vegetable Polenta
Serves 6
Inspired by my dad's recipe, this flavorful vegetable polenta makes good use of all that late summer produce! Vegan.
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
287 calories
33 g
0 g
13 g
10 g
2 g
366 g
411 g
4 g
0 g
9 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
366g
Servings
6
Amount Per Serving
Calories 287
Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 13g
20%
Saturated Fat 2g
12%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 7g
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 411mg
17%
Total Carbohydrates 33g
11%
Dietary Fiber 6g
23%
Sugars 4g
Protein 10g
Vitamin A
18%
Vitamin C
62%
Calcium
5%
Iron
18%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Polenta
  1. 1 cup polenta
  2. 2 cups vegetable broth/water
  3. ~4 cups hot water
  4. 1 cup cashew cheez, optional
  5. 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  6. 1/4 cup big green olives
  7. 1/4 tsp. dried thyme
  8. 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  9. 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  10. salt and pepper to taste (I used a smoked sea salt)
Vegetables
  1. splash of white wine and/or vegetable broth
  2. 1 onion, chopped
  3. 2 cloves garlic, minced
  4. 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
  5. 1 small banana pepper, seeded and chopped
  6. 1 small yellow squash or zucchini, chopped
  7. 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
  8. 1/4 cup julienned sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil)
  9. salt and pepper to taste
Make the polenta
  1. Prepare a medium-sized casserole by lightly spraying it with oil. Preheat the oven to 350F.
  2. Have the four cups of water simmering on the stove. In a medium-sized saucepan, bring the 2 cups of broth or water to a boil and whisk in the polenta. Bring mixture back up to a boil, then reduce the heat so that the polenta is just barely bubbling. I don't fuss over stirring a whole heck of a lot but instead put the lid on and add water as needed (from the four cups simmering on the stove). Cook until the polenta is soft to the bite.
  3. When the polenta is ready, stir in the remaining ingredients.
Make the vegetables
  1. Meanwhile, heat the wine or broth in a skillet and add the onions and garlic and gently cook until soft. Stir in the bell pepper, banana peppers and the squash/zucchini. Cook until just starting to get soft. Stir in the tomato paste along with another splash of wine and the tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes and salt and pepper. Cook for a minute or two and then remove from the heat.
Assemble the casserole
  1. Pour one half of the polenta mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Then spoon in the vegetables. Top with the remaining polenta and smooth the top. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes and allow to sit for about 10 minutes after removing from the oven.
beta
calories
287
fat
13g
protein
10g
carbs
33g
more
an unrefined vegan http://www.anunrefinedvegan.com/

Sun-dried Tomatoes, Olives

25 thoughts on “Summer Vegetable Polenta

  1. bar

    I have actually never had polenta. This looks like a delicious place to start.

    For the sake of foodie legend, let’s say Dad did invent it ;).

    Reply
  2. tinykitchenstories

    I’m going to miss polenta, now I’m grain-free. But this looks amazing–I’m going to experiment with lasagna using zucchini “pasta” sheets, and this is an inspiration, as always! 🙂

    Reply
      1. tinykitchenstories

        Thanks for the tip! I’ll check it out! I think I’m following her now. 🙂

  3. Eileen

    Ooh, great idea! I love the mix of summer vegetables, and I bet the combination with polenta is both delicious and ultra-filling. 🙂

    Reply
  4. tearoomdelights

    What a wonderfully colourful post! All those veggies look delicious with the polenta, and it sounds like excellent comfort food to me. Well done Dad! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Gabby @ the veggie nook

    I love this idea of a polenta casserole. I have used polenta to make pizza crust before but never would have thought to sandwich a filling in between! Awesome 🙂

    Reply
  6. Cauldrons and Cupcakes

    Yum! And your recipe makes it sound so easy…

    Plus, even though we’re on the tail end of winter down here in Oz, it’s a temperate climate and I can get my hands on EVERYTHING! (mostly in my own garden – hooray!)

    I think your Dad’s a Legend too 😀 xx

    Reply
  7. annesturetucker

    YUuuuummm, fabulous – this looks so satisfying and beautiful! I Can’t wait to try this recipe 🙂

    Reply
  8. My Plant Based Family

    I haven’t tried polenta either! I’ve thought about it but never tried. But hey, I only tried tofu for the first time this week.
    You picture’s look beautiful! You are very talented! 🙂

    Reply
  9. Somer

    Oh, I think this could become a staple around here. Yay for dad! I adore polenta, but never thought of using it in a casserole/lasagna sort of format! You need a link to your cashew cheez recipe above my dear 😉

    Reply

Fill in the Blank: