Ingredients:
2 red bell peppers
2 garlic cloves, chopped (optional)
3 to 4 tbs. chopped fresh chives
5 to 8 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
2 tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
Walden farms balsamic dressing, to taste
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Pinch of sugar (if boiling zucchini)
4 young, tender zucchini, about 1 lb. total, diced or cut into bite size pieces
Directions:
Preheat a broiler
Put the bell peppers on a baking sheet and broil, turning as needed, until blistered and charred on all sides, 10 to 15 minutes. Alternatively, using tongs or a large fork, hold the peppers, one at a time, over the flame of a gas burner and turn as needed until evenly blistered and charred. Transfer the blackened peppers to a brown paper bag and seal loosely, or place in a bowl and cover. Let cool to the touch. Remove the peppers and peel away the charred skin. Split lengthwise and remove and discard the stems and seeds.
Finely chop the peppers and put in a serving bowl. Add the garlic, chives, and basil to taste, and the olive oil. Season with the vinegar, salt and pepper. Set aside
Bring a saucepan ¾ full of water to a boil over high heat. Add pinches of salt and sugar and the zucchini and boil rapidly until the zucchini is tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain the zucchini well. Alternatively, bring water to a boil steamer pan, put the zucchini in a steamer rack over the water, cover and steam until tender-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the zucchini from the rack.
Add the zucchini to the bell pepper mixture and toss well!
image source: Williams Sonoma
