Italian Style Steamed Vegetables

Everything tastes better with garlic don't you agree when it comes to steamed vegetables, that's the most loved added ingredient in our Italian kitchen!

Southern Italian cooking uses a simple rustic blend of seasonings and home cooking, and the results are perfect.

Steaming is easy and healthy using vegetables, salt, olive oil, garlic, and black pepper, and perfect served over cooked basmati,  arborio rice, or cooked pasta.

This simple Italian-style vegetable recipe can be used to prepare and serve a variety of vegetables including leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach, and broccoli rabe.

If you're watching your weight or carbs try and stay away from the sugary sweet vegetables like too many carrots or corn, so moderation is key to a healthy diet.

Best Vegetables to Steam

1. broccoli
2. cauliflower,
3. carrots
4. asparagus,
5. artichokes
6. zucchini
7. green beans
8. spaghetti squash
9. Brussels sprouts
10. green peas
11. sweet potato
12. spinach
13. broccoli rabe
14. Italian pole beans
15. plum tomatoes
16. mini baby corn

Cooking and Steamed Vegetable Chart

1. Asparagus, and green beans: 3 to 7 minutes. 
2. Collard greens, kale, Swiss chard, and other hearty, leafy greens: 5 to 7 minutes
3. Cauliflower, broccoli(broccoli rabe takes longer): 8 to 10 minutes
4. Beets, carrots, potatoes, turnips, and other root vegetables: 10 to 15 minutes.

Tips for the Best Steamed Italian Vegetables

1. Cut the vegetables into small-sized pieces
2. Bring around 1 inch of water to a  slow simmer in a large stock pot over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low
3. Place a steamer basket over the simmering water.
4. Steam the vegetables to the desired softness
5. Serve on top of fluffy white cooked rice, pasta or just a delicious side dish

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Delicious Side Dish or Light Lunch

This is a delicious side dish with any meal, healthy alternatives, calorie-friendly, and easy to make.

We have steamed vegetables for many years, some take longer and we do them in another part like potatoes so the rest do not get overcooked just another tip.

Enjoy them cooked however you like this is just a basic guideline.

Italian Style Steamed Vegetables Recipe

Yield: 6

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 7 MinTotal time: 17 Min

Steamed healthy vegetables are a great alternative when trying to watch calories and can be the perfect light lunch or side dish.

Ingredients

• Prepare the vegetables you're using and cut or slice them up enough for your family and what will fit in a steaming basket or electric steamer if you're using one.
• Based on 3 cups of assorted vegetables fresh preferred (or use can use frozen):
• 2 tablespoons melted butter (or use all olive oil)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 3 torn basil leaves (fresh)
• 1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic or 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
• (see notes for other options and herbs to substitute)
• Optional: 1 tablespoon of aged balsamic vinegar
• Serving suggestions: as a side dish with any meals or top vegetables over cooked rice or pasta

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, add olive oil and garlic over low heat and saute until golden around 2 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and add herbs with olive oil or butter( let the butter melt) set aside.
3. Place a steamer basket inside a 4-quart saucepan and add around 1 1/2 cups of water and bring to a boil.
4. Steam the vegetables to your desired doneness (if frozen refer to package instructions).
5. We like them soft, for al denti it takes around 5 to 7 minutes or longer for softer (if you have potatoes it's easier to make those separately and add them to the serving dish after they are cooked since they take so much longer and the starch will ruin the dish).
6. To serve, place vegetables in the serving bowl.
7. Add olive oil, butter, and herbs of choice from the list sprinkle evenly to taste over the mixture, and toss gently to coat the vegetables.
8. Chefs Notes:
9. Times for Steaming Vegetables (to our taste):
10. Asparagus, and green beans: 3 to 7 minutes.
11. Collard greens, kale, Swiss chard, and other hearty, leafy greens: 5 to 7 minutes.
12. Cauliflower, broccoli ( broccoli rabe takes longer and I steam separately): 8 to 10 minutes.
13. Beets, carrots, potatoes, turnips, and other root vegetables: 10 to 15 minutes.

Notes

Best Seasonings for Steamed Vegetables

• oregano
• basil
• parsley
• thyme
• chervil
• tarragon
• cilantro
• cumin
• dill
• ginger
• lemongrass
• curry

Best Vegetables to Steam

1. broccoli
2. cauliflower,
3. carrots
4. asparagus,
5. artichokes
6. zucchini
7. green beans
8. spaghetti squash
9. Brussels sprouts
10. green peas
11. sweet potato
12. spinach
13. broccoli rabe
14. Italian pole beans
15. plum tomatoes
16. mini baby corn

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