Making Dinner with Lots of Summer Produce

It's that time again; you're thinking about dinner and what to cook. Here's our weekly list of suggestions: dinner recipes that take less than an hour of mostly hands-off time or cook quicker then that but may require constant stirring. Yes, there will be pasta, and, yes, it will be delicious. So visit us every week for dinnertime inspiration.

MONDAY: ZUCCHINI PATTY SANDWICHES

These easy zucchini-chickpea patties might just be the ultimate filling for a pita pocket. Served with lettuce, yogurt, and fresh mint, they're filling and fresh.

TUESDAY: GRILLED CHICKEN WITH MANGO AND MINT-LIME DRESSING

Not your everyday grilled chicken; boneless, skinless breasts are marinated in a garlicky mint-and-lime juice dressing then pounded and grilled. Also grilled are serrano chiles, to add to the remainder of the dressing, and radishes, the unsung summer-produce hero of dinner tonight. They're added to the watercress salad. Mango and queso fresco top it all off.

WEDNESDAY: SHRIMP SCAMPI WITH YELLOW-SQUASH NOODLES

The fastest dinner this week is on the table in 20 minutes, and it features yellow squash. It also happens to be gluten-free, but perhaps the best part about making scampi with voodles? No boiling! The squash "pasta" simply joins the shrimp in the skillet for a quick sauté.

THURSDAY: NO-BAKE LASAGNA WITH RICOTTA AND TOMATOES

Last night was one pot in 20 minutes; tonight we're going no-bake in 25 minutes. Yes, our deconstructed lasagna requires cooking but only for the pasta sheets. And the starring summer produce tonight is grape tomatoes, with basil in a supporting role.

FRIDAY: SWORDFISH WITH WATERMELON AND LIME-GINGER CITRONETTE

Another night, another fast meal: You'd never guess that this main-dish salad featuring a bright lime-ginger dressing over watermelon wedges and meaty grilled-swordfish kebabs takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish. That gives you time for a pre-dinner cocktail.

SATURDAY: CORN SOUP WITH TOMATO-BACON TOASTS

Here's a summery spin on the classic grilled cheese-and-soup combo. Ripe tomatoes and crisp bacon amp up this open-face sandwich, and fresh sweet corn is the star produce tonight. It shines in the refreshing cold soup.

SUNDAY: GRILLED LAMB LOINS

We're getting meaty tonight. Inspired by our friends in Vermont, we're suggesting you grill lamb loins rather than the usual chops or leg of lamb. This recipe feeds eight to ten, so invite friends over or know that there will be delicious leftovers for brown-bag lunches or dinner tomorrow.