Roasted Veggie Pitas

1 small zucchini (6 ounces), thinly sliced lengthwise
1 small yellow summer squash (6 ounces), thinly sliced lengthwise
1 medium onion, thinly sliced (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 of a red sweet pepper, cut into thin strips (1/2 cup)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 large pita bread rounds, halved
4 teaspoons bottled vinaigrette or Italian salad dressing
3/4 cup shredded smoked provolone or mozzarella cheese (3 ounces)

1. Preheat oven to 450F. In a large bowl, place zucchini, summer squash, onion, mushrooms, and sweet pepper. Add oil, salt, and black pepper; toss to coat. Spread vegetable mixture evenly in a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Roast, uncovered, in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

2. Divide roasted vegetables among pita bread halves; drizzle with salad dressing. Top with shredded cheese. If desired, place filled pitas on a baking sheet and bake in the 450F oven for 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese melts. Makes 4 sandwiches.

3. Avocado Veggie Sandwiches: Prepare as above, except omit salad dressing. In a small bowl mash 1 avocado, halved, seeded, and peeled, with 1 tablespoon lime juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Spread avocado mixture in pita bread rounds before filling with vegetables.

Step 1: Prepping an Avocado

The first step in preparing an avocado is rinsing the avocado under cool tap water. Use a knife to make a lengthwise cut around the seed, cutting through the fruit and skin.









Step 2: Separate Avocado

After rinsing and slitting the avocado, holding the avocado in your hands, gently twist the two halves in opposite directions to separate them.










Step 3: Quartering Avocado

Remove the seed by whacking the pit with the blade of the knife in a swift, hard motion; twist and pull to remove it. Next, on a cutting surface, cut each half in half again and peel away the skin from each of the quarters using your fingers or a small knife.