Recommendations for a kind-of-Italian, make-ahead green vegetable side dish?

I'm making a sit-down dinner for 10 people and would love some recommendations for a make-ahead green vegetable side dish. The rest of the dinner menu consists of the wonderful baked eggplant parm dish from this site, a short rib ragu served over polenta and likely a grilled Caesar salad to start. I've thought of roasted green beans with garlic and olive oil, but I'd be happy to do something a little more involved. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

keg72
  • Posted by: keg72
  • December 12, 2014
  • 12779 views
  • 10 Comments

10 Comments

ATG117
ATG117 December 14, 2014
I think broccoli rage would be a nice counterpoint.
 
luvcookbooks
luvcookbooks December 13, 2014
Cardoons(there's a great recipe on this site). They're an Italian vegetable related to artichokes. Stuffed artichokes would also be good.
 
Bevi
Bevi December 13, 2014
I make sdebrango's green bean and cherry tomato dish every Xmas. It's festive, can be made ahead, and served at room temperature. https://food52.com/recipes/13923-warm-salad-with-cherry-tomato-haricot-vert-and-pancetta
It will be lovely with the rest of your menu!
 
ChezHenry
ChezHenry December 12, 2014
Marcella Hazan's Zucchini gratin with Marjoram. Sublime.
http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/pomodori_e_vino/2011/03/zucchini_gratin_with_tomato_an.html
 
dinner A.
dinner A. December 12, 2014
I think chard's flavor has a particular affinity with eggplant. Saute it lightly in advance with olive oil, garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes, and finish it with a big squeeze of lemon. Or substitute chard in spinach roman style, with golden raisins and pine nuts:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/03/magazine/03food-t.html?fta=y
Either way, it will be good at room temp, or you can put it in the oven for a few minutes when the eggplant is almost done.
 
cookinginvictoria
cookinginvictoria December 12, 2014
How about Merrill's Swiss Chard with Garlic Breadcrumbs Salad? https://food52.com/recipes/24925-chard-salad-with-garlic-breadcrumbs-and-parmesan It has Italian flavors, the various components can be made-ahead and it is a little different, but very delicious. :)
 
Pegeen
Pegeen December 12, 2014
By the way, your menu sounds fantastic. The broccoli rabe is not exactly "make ahead" but I find it very hard to find a green veg that can be made much ahead unless you are serving it cold as a salad, or it's mixed with a starch or starchier vegetables in a casserole.
 
Pegeen
Pegeen December 12, 2014
Broccoli Rabe with Savory Pine Nuts and Meyer Lemon (AntoniaJames)
https://food52.com/recipes/3890-broccoli-rabe-with-savory-pine-nuts-and-meyer-lemon
 
ChefJune
ChefJune December 12, 2014
I've added this tasty dish to my 12/25 menu after making a rough adaptation of it for Thanksgiving. You might like to try it... https://food52.com/recipes/32216-roasted-brussels-sprouts-with-pancetta-and-garlic-croutons
 
Nancy
Nancy December 12, 2014
Rapini, sauteed with a bit of garlic and olive oil. Superb! Most green vegetables take to same treatment. But/and something with a bit of sharpness to it is even more interesting.
 
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