Zucchini and Chickpea Pita Sandwiches

Flexitarian was recently added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary with the definition "One whose normally meatless diet occasionally includes meat or fish." The Mayo Clinic also recommends a flexitarian diet as a great way to jump start being healthier. I'm thrilled to see these examples of the concept of eating less meat and more vegetarian dishes becoming mainstream. Also, I'm hoping that a few people who found out from Time Magazine that F-bomb, sexting, and flexitarian were added to the dictionary in August might come across my blog. Though realistically, which of those words do you think most people end up googling?


Today's recipe is a wonderful example of a vegetarian dish that is high in protein, filling, and nutritional. (Also really tasty!)

Zucchini and Chickpea Pita Sandwiches
Serves 4

4 pita rounds
1 can chick peas
1 small zucchini
1/2 of a red onion
1 cup bread crumbs
1 egg
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon red pepper
Salt and pepper
Garnish such as lettuce, cabbage, Greek yogurt, or hot chili sauce

1. Shred zucchini and and red onion into a mixing bowl. Drain chick peas and add to bowl. Mash together. 
2. Add bread crumbs, egg, oregano, red pepper, salt, and pepper. Stir vigorously to combine. 
3. Form mixture into 16 small patties. 
4. In large pan, add olive oil and heat at medium-high.
5. Add as many patties as fit in the pan (you'll need to do several batches). Cook in olive oil about 5 minutes or until browned. Flip and cook 5 minutes more. 
6. Cut pita in half and toast. In each pita half, add two patties and garish with lettuce, cabbage, Greek yogurt, or hot chili sauce.

Three Bean Salad

I served this three bean salad with a ham, provolone, and red onion panini. With my husband's help, this meal was ready in under 10 minutes.

Three Bean Salad
Serves 4 to 6
1 can chick peas, drained and rinsed
1 can light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup green beans, trimmed and cut in half.
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
Fresh basil
2 tablespoons red onion, diced
2 tablespoons red pepper, diced
Salt and pepper

1. Combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
2. Combine all other ingredients and stir in red wine vinaigrette.