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Every summer vegetable is made better with ricotta.

Let’s just make that a clear and undeniable truth.

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So are Wednesday afternoons, Saturday mornings, the hour after an 8 mile long run, the second you get home from work. And any and everything in-between. Let’s just smear some of that creamy dreamy good stuff into all those moments.

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Never mind that certain members of our household maintain that it’s just “not the right cheese” for spreading on toasted bread and topping with brightly flavored (and colored!) coins of summer {squash}. That mozzarella would have gotten the job done better.

Certain members are wrong. Oh so very wrong.

I’m thinking I need to get his taste buds checked.

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But until then, I’ll be making ricotta tartines out of every bit of seasonal produce I can get my hands on.

In a very unapologetic way.

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Starting with these.

Here, the summer squash is sauteed with the bright and happy duo of lemon and rosemary, which just happens to offset perfectly the creamy ricotta backdrop.

Summer perfection, all in under ten minutes. Love.It.


As a side note, I just want to give you all the heads up that Eats Well With Others will be undergoing major renovation this weekend and will be down from Sunday through Monday with a FABULOUS relaunch on Tuesday thanks to the lovely ladies of Wooden Spoons Kitchen! I could not be more excited to share this new “home” with you.  BUT if there are any recipes you are planning to make within that time, please save the recipes to your computer before then! 

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One year ago…Summer Squash Gratin, Pesto Potato Salad with Green Beans
Three years ago…Kale and Sweet Potato Salad with a Warm Bacon Dressing
Four years ago…Chicken Enchiladas and Spanish Rice

Summer Squash Tartines with Ricotta, Rosemary and Lemon
 
Perfect for using up the ever-abundant summer squash and zucchini, these tartines are creamy and delicious.
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 8 oz summer squash, very thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp minced fresh rosemary
  • grated zest of 1 lemon
  • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 long baguette, cut into 4 pieces
  • olive oil and garlic for the bread
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
Instructions
  1. Heat the olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the squash and saute for 1 minute or so just to heat it through. add a splash of water and cover it. Cook over medium-high heat until the squash is soft, about 3 minutes. Remove the lid and stir in the rosemary and lemon zest, tossing to mix. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
  2. Cut the baguette quarters in half, lengthwise. Lightly brush the cut surface of the baguette pieces with olive oil. Toast until golden and crisp. Rub the cut surfaces of the bread with the garlic while it is still hot. Spread the ricotta evenly over the baguette pieces and then layer the squash on top. Season with a pinch of more black pepper.
Notes
adapted from Vegetable Literacy
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 2 tartines

 

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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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77 Responses to Summer Squash Tartines with Ricotta, Rosemary and Lemon

  1. Simply Life says:

    Oh these are just the perfect summer flavors!

  2. Oooooh, can’t wait to see the rehab!

    Also, I’ll share these with you if you know who won’t. 😀

  3. Totally agree. Ricotta + tomatoes/zucchini/your summer squash. Daaaaang delicious!

  4. Everytime I buy ricotta for a recipe, I never know what to do with the rest of it. This is a great idea and sounds delish.

  5. I prefer ricotta to mozzarella!! These summer squash tartines look fantastic, Joanne.

  6. OohLookBel says:

    So beautifully simple yet tasty. I love ricotta, and I love your tartines.

  7. These are so summery and beautiful!

    Sues

  8. london bakes says:

    I love ricotta – this looks like a perfect way to enjoy it in the summer.

    PS so excited to see your new look next week!

  9. I love ricotta so I totally am on your side here.

    CAN”T WAIT to see your new site!!

  10. I nearly named my first born Ricotta; I am with you all the way on this post! Congrats, in advance of your new look for Eats Well with Others, I’m excited for you!!

  11. I love this idea. I’m housing a bunch of summer squash in my fridge right now, waiting for more tomatoes to join them on the counter. In the meantime, this may just be the perfect way to use them.

  12. Johanna GGG says:

    um I am not a ricotta fan – yet I really like the sound of your tartines – could just go one or two right now to bring some summer into our winter

    and I am very excited about your blog redesign – the longer I blog the more geeky I get about design (but I hasten to say I am no geek or designer – just have geeky tendencies occasionally) I wish I knew what I was cooking on the weekend to know if I wanted to look at your blog but I just dip in and out for inspiration occasionally depending on what I am making – good luck with the changes

  13. Sam says:

    I’ve got summer squash coming out of my ears! Clearly, this is what I am having for lunch. Also, what is it with all these ricotta-hating boys?

  14. These look delicious! And, great timing for me, as our CSA is keeping us well stocked in squash right now.

  15. Mother Rimmy says:

    I’m having a wine and craft party this weekend. These are perfect. They’ll definitely be on the menu.

  16. Ohh my goodness, ohh my goodness. This looks amazing! I love ricotta. I’ve been on a ricotta/avocado/sea salt kick lately on my toast.

  17. SallyBR says:

    You should see the looks I get when I use yogurt (with salt and pepper) as a spread on my whole wheat bread.

    I see absolutely nothing wrong with your use of ricotta. Your spread is safe with me!

    Looking forward to the changes in your site! Hope it goes very smoothly…

  18. Monica says:

    What a great idea. I love anything with involves a baguette but this is very creative and seasonal. : )

  19. Dixya says:

    i could eat these all day – gold coins look so goood.

  20. I’m all about putting everything (and anything?) on top of toasty bread!! Perfect for summer nights where I don’t really want to do crazy cooking 🙂

    I’m excited to see the new site!

  21. Jessie says:

    Creamy ricotta backdrop, mmm. I can see myself making this for a dinner party (or just for me – no sharing that way! I agree: I think a certain member of your household needs to get his taste buds checked 😉

  22. Ricotta & summer veggies is the besssst! This looks like my new favorite lunch and snack….so tasty!

    Can’t wait to see the redesign next week….so exciting!

  23. simple and delicious. Love this

  24. Um this looks amazing!!! I want it for lunch… like now! xo

  25. Karen says:

    I wish my garden would hurry up! Looks great! Can’t wait to see the “new you” 🙂

  26. My tomatoes still have 2-3 weeks, I’m impatiently waiting 🙂 These tarts sounds amazing. Can’t wait to see the new look 🙂

  27. cquek says:

    Summer Squash Tartines with Ricotta – i would love to try it.

  28. I love how fresh summer produce allows simple dishes to really shine – this looks great! Also I’m so excited to see your new site design!

  29. Looks delish! good luck with your new website design!

  30. Pam says:

    I am loving ricotta lately. This one has me drooling… it’s beautiful and delicious!

    Good luck with the new launch!!

  31. Esi says:

    This is perfect for when it’s too hot to cook. Minimal work involved.

  32. I love this sooooo much – so simple and perfectly summer!

  33. Mmmm, this is summer perfection in a meal! Love it. (PS Can’t wait to see the new blog design, squee!)

  34. Ashley says:

    These look great. Ricotta is ALWAYS the answer 😉 Good luck with the relaunch! Looking forward to seeing the new design!!

  35. I could totally get down with these cuties for dinner! They look so scrumptious!

  36. Eileen says:

    Yes! This is the kind of thing I eat for lunch constantly–simple sandwiches with cheese and veg. Summer squash is definitely a perfect pair with rich ricotta. 🙂 Good luck with your relaunch!

  37. These lemons look incredible. What a fun summer treat!

  38. Take that certain someone in your household to Italy and he will change his mind about ricotta! 🙂 My husband used to think that way, but he was eating ricotta by the spoonful in Italy. It’s so not the same here but at least I can convince him to let me put it on things now. Squash is another battle… but I’ll just make these for myself!

  39. Ricotta is a wonderful food that, in my opinion, can be hearty and warming in the winter and light and refreshing in the summer. It’s basically perfect! Certain members of your household will come around…(but are really missing out in the meantime!)

  40. Amy says:

    First time I ever made homemade ricotta…well, I practically lost all consciousness. Seriously. Love this. Exciting news about the blog redesign – get ready to stare at it all day long! I bet it’s awesome.

  41. Guru Uru says:

    Wow, ricotta is perfect in this, so light and delicious 😀
    And I love the colours as well in this dish!

    Cheers
    CCU

  42. I can’t wait to see the relaunch Joanne – how exciting!!

  43. Beth says:

    Thanks for the heads up. I would have panicked if your blog had disappeared without warning! I’ll look ahead and see if there’s anything I should print off. Looking forward to seeing your new format.

  44. Hotly Spiced says:

    A make-over! My blog needs a complete over-haul and it’s on my list of things I must get done. Can’t wait to see the new look. Love the look of these yellow zucchini on ricotta – pretty colour – very summery xx

  45. Ohhh, these are SO beautiful, Joanne! I want to pull up a lawn chair and eat them under the shade of a massive tree. 🙂 I’m so excited to see your redesign, luv!! WOOHOO! 🙂

  46. This snack sounds magical and I love recipes that can be eaten for lunch or dinner!

  47. P says:

    This sounds like something that could be eaten 24/7, all summer long. Love it!!!

  48. So delicious, simple and healthy – and your pictures are fantastic!
    Mary x

  49. Lynn says:

    It looks delicious and easy! I’m looking forward to seeing your new space!

  50. daphne says:

    Exciting changes! I’m looking forward to it. And what a quick meal this is- I love anything that is quick and easy.. and healthy as well.

  51. So perfect for the summer! It looks simply amazing! Love it!!

  52. I agree with you about the ricotta! We made something really similar the other night but with fava beans. So good! My boyfriend doesn’t usually like cheese, but he’s learned to tolerate a little bit of ricotta luckily.

  53. Sarah Caron says:

    I love smearing ricotta on bread. And toast. And just about everything. It’s highly underrated as a cheese (and a spread).

  54. These are so pretty and you can never beat the combo of cheese and bread, especially when topped when some soft, herbalicious veggies. I have some of your recipes pinned- will the links to them be the same after the renovation? Looking forward to seeing your new look! 😀

  55. Sounds wonderful Joanne! And looks delish. I’ll have to give this one a try.

  56. Good luck with the migration – I am super excited for you 🙂

  57. Kari says:

    I hate to confess that I don’t much like ricotta. But…I do like everything else in these tartines 🙂

  58. Love it!!! Totally making these with the sink full of squash I have left! And certain members DO need to check their taste buds… Ricotta is AWESOME!! Super excited to see your blog re-do. That’s awesome!

  59. These are so gorgeous! Just perfect for a summer lunch or cocktail hour! Looking forward to the relaunch 🙂

  60. I love squash. This looks so yummy in my tummy. Thanks for stopping by Granny’s Down Home Sassy Southern Cooking.

  61. Ooo – I must try this with cashew ricotta!!!

  62. Am going to do this with mascarpone. Looks delicious.
    Also, saw one of your other comments about the great bummer of NYC – no grilling! The upside is almost all of us have a gas stove. I’ve taken to just using tongs to give something a good char right above the heat.

  63. Von says:

    I don’t think I’ve had ricotta before :/ haha…. never really wanted to since I’m not a huge fan of cheese, but you make it sound so amazing! And your tartines looks so cute and tasty I might just have to give it a try some time!

  64. Ricotta and squash! Yeah! So delicious together. I can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve for Tuesday. How exciting.

  65. Erica says:

    Simple and delicious meal, Joanne!What a wonderful combination of flavors!

  66. Sarah says:

    i love ricotta! sounds so great. 🙂

  67. These look like the perfect light summer dinner! I’m imagining sitting on the deck watching the sunset and eating these. I totally need to make that happen!

  68. Reeni says:

    I’m in complete agreement and would gladly eat his share! Ricotta and veggies are a happy pair! I’m so excited for your site makeover! Can’t wait.

  69. Barbara says:

    That’s lovely, Joanne. What a super combo. Love tartines, but don’t make them very often.

  70. That Girl says:

    Ricotta makes every day a special day.

  71. Katarina says:

    Looks really delicious!

  72. Donna says:

    You mean you can do more with summer squash than saute it? Once again, you have expanded my culinary horizons!

  73. Shannon says:

    i love good ricotta, definitely has its place here 🙂 fabulous tartines! btw, where did the name tartine come from? i feel like it’s really taken off the past year or so, and it’s just an open-faced sandwich, no?

  74. Susan says:

    Love the new look, Joanne! Woe-is-me, I have fallen far behind again and dust has gathered on my computer keyboard.

    Your tarts look so gorgeously delicious! Lovely shots!

  75. […] Serve your summer squash as a delicious appetizer: Tartines with Rosemary and Lemon. […]

  76. Absolutely perfect summer tartines Joanne!

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