I enjoy going to the farmers market on Saturdays – the ritual of packing my shopping bag, browsing all the stalls to see who has the best zucchini this week, or peaches.  But sometimes, I get a bit overzealous, and end up with vegetables still sitting in the fridge most of the week later.  I can safe the slightly softening ones by roasting them until crisp. And what’s a better counterpoint to the warm, buttery flavor of a roasted vegetable than nutty quinoa?

This is a great side, or add some cubed firm tofu to fill out a summer meal.

Oh, and if you have extra quinoa?  Make them into patties.

Read on for the recipe…

Quinoa with Roasted Vegetables

2 cups water or broth
1 cup red quinoa
5 cloves garlic
3 small summer squash
3 japanese eggplant
(or whatever combination of vegetables you might have)
olive oil
salt
pepper
dried thyme
juice of one lemon

1. Bring the water or broth to a boil. Add some salt and the quinoa, stir, cover, and cook for approximately 20 minutes or until all the water is absorbed.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 400F. Chop the garlic finely. Slice the squash and eggplant lengthwise into long quarters. Then slice into 1 inch chunks.  Toss the garlic and vegetables with the olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme.  Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the vegetables in an even layer.  Roast until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

3. When the quinoa is done, toss it with the vegetables.  Squeeze some lemon juice over it all, and enjoy!