Recipe: Capri Lemon Pasta With Peas, Fava Beans And Asparagus

MAIN DISH CAPRI LEMON PASTA WITH PEAS, FAVA BEANS AND ASPARAGUS This lemony pasta with peas, fava beans and asparagus from Maria Elia's The Modern Vegetarian remains brightly flavored and beautiful to look at even when edamame are substituted for the fava beans. Start to finish: 20 minutes.

THE EDGY VEGGIE

Good news: Grapefruit's out of food jail

October is a banner month, and the banner is pink. Besides being Vegetarian Awareness Month, it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and breast cancer support's signature pink ribbons are everywhere.

Vegetarian Recipe: In The Pink Grapefruit And Fennel Salad

SALAD

IN THE PINK GRAPEFRUIT

AND FENNEL SALAD

Both grapefruit and fennel are loaded with vitamin C, antioxidants, potassium and fiber. Walnuts are crazy with omega-3s. Toss together with a lightly sweet vinaigrette and you've got a palate-dazzling salad brimming with health.

THE EDGY VEGGIE

For Vegetarian Month, let's set the record straight on soy

Happy World Vegetarian Day, the start of Vegetarian Awareness Month. We'll mark it here with a consideration of soy, a food formerly known as healthful that's been getting a lot of grief. Much of it is undeserved and comes via Web misinformation, including claims it causes breast cancer, developmental delays, Alzheimer's and man boobs. Yuck. And not true.

Vegetarian Recipe: Ellen Kanner's Vegan Spinach Pie

APPETIZER

VEGAN SPINACH PIE

An easy but impressive appetizer or main course, this lacks the cheesy ooze of traditional Greek spanakopita but has a fraction of the fat and a vibrant taste. Tahini, a Middle Eastern sesame paste, is available in many supermarkets.

Vegetarian Recipe: Smokin' Good Roasted Red Pepper Dip

DIP

SMOKIN' GOOD ROASTED RED PEPPER DIP

3 roasted red peppers (the jarred kind are fine)

3 tablespoons olive oil

THE EDGY VEGGIE

3 knockout cracker choices

In this corner, three classic Nabisco crackers -- Premium saltines ($2.39, 8 ounces), Wheat Thins ($3.57, 10 ounces) and Triscuits ($3.57, 8.5 ounces). Entering the ring, three contenders vying to make healthier versions.

No butter, no eggs, no problem: Vegan baking comes into its own

When Becca Medvin went vegan at the age of 14, she had no trouble giving up meat. Or milk or cheese or eggs. What she missed was dessert.

Vegetarian Recipe: Cranberry Orange Nut Muffins

MUFFINS

CRANBERRY ORANGE NUT MUFFINS

These are citrusy, sweet, fragrant and fluffy -- a rarity for vegan baked goods.

Vegetarian Recipe: Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

COOKIES

VEGAN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Cakey rather than gooey, these are not your classic Toll House cookies, but they deliver big chocolate indulgence nonetheless.

Recipe: Egg-Topped Summer Vegetable Casserole

MAIN DISH

EGG-TOPPED SUMMER VEGETABLE CASSEROLE

Start to finish: 1 hour 5 minutes (30 minutes active)

2 pounds plum tomatoes (12 to 15 tomatoes)

THE HEALTHY PLATE

Use up your veggies in egg-topped casserole

The peak of the summer produce season makes it easy to eat lots of fresh vegetables, but an abundant harvest can also lead to culinary fatigue for gardeners in northern climes.

Recipe: Grilled Corn, Peach And Poblano Salad

SALAD

GRILLED CORN, PEACH AND POBLANO SALAD

In this dish, the great flavor of grilled corn pairs with the concurrent abundance of fresh peppers and peaches. A little honey, vinegar and olive oil marry the heat and sweetness. This salad is best served within 24 hours after it is made.

Vegetarian Recipe: Sublime Scones

QUICK BREAD

SUBLIME SCONES

Desperation Dinners Recipe: Alicia's Favorite Summer Side Salad

SALAD

ALICIA'S FAVORITE SUMMER SIDE SALAD

Bottled dressing can also be used. Start to finish: under 10 minutes.

5 cups prewashed baby field greens

CUCUMBERS

Versatile veggies work in soups or appetizers

Pity the poor cucumber. Often relegated to the relish tray or salad bowl, or pickled and left to languish in the refrigerator, cucumbers deserve some respect.

COOKBOOKS

Vegetarian cuisine times four

As Americans combat obesity and financial strain, meatless meals are becoming mainstream. Several excellent cookbooks explore the complexities of vegetarian cuisine.

Vegetarian Recipe: Stealth-Health Blueberry Muffins

MUFFINS

STEALTH-HEALTH

BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

Oats, lemon zest and blueberries come together in this muffin recipe. Vegan margarine and soy yogurt are easy substitutions.

Vegetarian Recipe: Black Bean and Collard Green Salad

SALAD BLACK BEAN AND COLLARD GREEN SALAD Here, Hoppin' John, the traditional Southern dish of black-eyed peas and collards, gets a lightened-up salsa-fied, South Florida makeover. It's a sturdy salad perfect for a July Fourth buffet.