In my early twenties, I worked in a restaurant owned by an
energetic man named Harvey Shugarman. This gluten-free dish—gluten-free hadn’t
come into vogue yet—known as the Vegetarian Delight, was among the most popular
on the menu with the getting-ready-to-fit-in-the-summer-wardrobe crowd.
I love its versatility; just about any vegetable works. If
you don’t have one of the vegetables called for in this recipe, be creative and
design your own combination of vegetables. Offer slices of authentic French,
Italian or Ciabatta bread with olive oil for dipping or offer breadsticks to
the getting-ready-to-fit-in-the-summer-wardrobe crowd as was customary at
Harvey’s restaurant.
Hardier vegetables require longer cooking times than the more
delicate vegetables. You don’t want mushy vegetables, so it’s important to cook the vegetables until just fork-tender. The amount of Old Bay seasoning is a matter of
preference. I tend to be heavy-handed because the seasoning is what brings all
the flavors together. I prefer a variety of cheeses, and, like the versatility
of the vegetables, just about any flavorful good-melting cheese works.
6 servings
2 cups julienned
carrots
2 cups bite-sized
cauliflower florets
2 cups bite-sized
broccoli florets
1½ cups quartered
sliced zucchini, ½-inch thick pieces
2 cups yellow
squash, ½-inch slices
2 cups sliced
celery, ¼-inch slices
1 large onion cut
into chunks
1 teaspoon Old Bay
seasoning
⅓ cup freshly
grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded cheese like mozzarella, Monterey Jack or sharp white cheddar
1. Set oven
temperature to broil.
2. In a large pot
with a steamer, bring water to a boil. Steam the carrots, cauliflower and
broccoli until not yet fork-tender. Keep
these vegetables in the steamer and add the zucchini, yellow squash, celery and
onion. Cook until just fork-tender.
3. Carefully transfer
the vegetables to a baking dish and gently toss them to evenly distribute. Season
the vegetables with Old Bay seasoning. Top the vegetables with Parmesan and
shredded cheeses.
4. Place baking dish
under broiler and broil until cheese melts and turns a light golden brown.
Serve immediately.
