Meatless Friday: Grilled Summer Vegetable Pasta

Silvia-Maria Patalano-Ross shares a meatless recipe that does double duty in celebrating the August 10 feast of the patron saint of cooks.

A Saint Who Knew How to Serve 

If you’ve ever stood in your kitchen at 6:00 PM, wondering what’s for dinner while simultaneously helping with homework and tossing in a load of laundry, congratulations. You’re living the kind of daily, invisible, poured-out service that the saints knew intimately (OK, maybe not exactly).  

Every year on August 10, the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Lawrence, a deacon of the early Church, known for his generosity, courage, and yes — his humor. He’s one of the most beloved Roman martyrs, not just for what he did, but for how he did it. 

During a wave of persecution under the Roman Emperor Valerian in 258 AD, Lawrence, one of the seven deacons of Rome, was ordered to turn over the Church’s treasures. Instead, he gave the wealth to the poor, sick, and outcast, and then boldly presented those very people to the emperor, declaring, “These are the treasures of the Church!” 

That bold statement cost him his life. He was condemned to death by fire, to be executed on a gridiron. According to tradition, in the middle of his suffering, he told his executioners, “Turn me over! I'm done on this side!” 

It’s no wonder he became the patron saint of cooks, chefs, and grill masters. I consider it a beautiful coincidence that his feast day falls during peak grill season in my area! 

Not Just a Meal 

Beyond the dark humor and dramatic death, Saint Lawrence teaches us something deeply relevant: that the heart of the Christian life is found in joyful, sacrificial service, especially in the ordinary. And for many of us moms, the kitchen is where that happens most often. 

In our homes, food is more than sustenance. It’s memory. It’s connection. It’s one of the most tangible ways we love. 

Saint Lawrence gave food to the hungry, tended to the poor, and shared what the Church had with those who had nothing. He reminds us that every meal prepared with love is a kind of Eucharist. We give our time and energy to feed others, and stick around to make sure they enjoy it! 

That’s what inspired this meal: something simple and satisfying. Something you can make on a weeknight. A small offering in the spirit of a saint who gave all he had. 

Grilled Summer Vegetable Pasta with Fresh Herbs 

This dish is easy to pull together, bursting with fresh summer flavor, and totally flexible depending on what’s in your fridge or garden. If you don’t have a grill, you can roast the vegetables in the oven. 

Serves: 4–6 
Prep Time: 10 minutes 
Cook Time: 20 minutes 

Ingredients: 

• 12 oz pasta (fusilli or penne work well) 
• 2 zucchini, sliced 
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 small eggplant, cubed 
• 1 red onion, quartered 
• 2–3 tablespoons olive oil 
• 1 tsp salt 
• ½ tsp black pepper 
• 1 tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh garlic 
• ½ cup chopped fresh basil or parsley 
• Grated Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese (optional) 
• A squeeze of lemon juice (optional)  

Instructions: 

Preheat your grill or oven to 425°F.  

Toss the chopped vegetables in olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic.  

Grill or roast for 15–20 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender and slightly charred.  

Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.  

Toss the cooked pasta with grilled vegetables and a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce.  

Stir in fresh herbs and top with cheese and lemon juice, if using.  

Serve warm or at room temperature, preferably with bread and a glass of something refreshing.  

Optional Add-ins: 

• Sliced grilled chicken or shrimp 
• Cherry tomatoes 
• A handful of olives (marinated or not) 
• Toasted pine nuts or croutons for crunch 

This meal can stretch, adapt, and feed a crowd. Like all good food traditions, it’s meant to be shared without fuss or perfection. 

Blessing of the Food 

Before you dig in, gather your family — around the table, the counter, or wherever you happen to be — and offer this simple prayer: 

St. Lawrence, servant of the poor and patron of cooks, 
Pray for us as we gather to share this meal. 
May we serve one another with joy and courage, 
And find holiness in the work of our hands. Amen. 

This August 10, may your kitchen be a place of peace, your table a place of laughter, and your food a small echo of the great banquet we’re all invited to. 

And may Saint Lawrence remind us that joyful service is holy, even when it smells like garlic.