A vibrant medley of summer vegetables paired with traditional Bomba rice that forms a crisp layer at the base, this Summer Vegetable Paella is both uncomplicated enough for an everyday dinner yet elegant enough to impress company. Cooking the vegetables in separate stages ensures each retains its ideal texture and flavor.
1poundZucchinidiced (yellow summer squash or a mix works well)
2teaspoonsKosher Saltsee notes
4cupsVegetable Stockdivided
2cupsBomba Riceuncooked
1cupdiced Fresh Tomato
PinchSaffron Threadsapproximately 1/8 teaspoon
1Red Bell Pepperdiced
1 15-ouncecan ChickpeasGarbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
4TablespoonsOlive Oildivided
1 1/2teaspoonsSmoked Paprika
1cupdiced Yellow Onion
2clovesGarlicdiced
Lemon Wedgesfor serving
Chopped Fresh Herbsfor garnish (basil or parsley)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F / 204°C. Warm the vegetable stock in a saucepan until it begins to simmer, then lower the heat to maintain warmth without boiling and stir in the saffron threads. Heat a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven (about 12 inches wide) over medium-high heat. Add 1 Tablespoon of olive oil; when shimmering, sauté the diced red bell pepper with a pinch of kosher salt until tender and lightly golden, about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the pepper to a bowl and return the skillet to the heat. Add 2 Tablespoons olive oil to the skillet. Once hot, add the diced zucchini with a pinch of salt, cooking until deep golden and tender, about 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer the zucchini to the bowl with the bell pepper and return the skillet to the stove. Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in the remaining 1 Tablespoon olive oil. When shimmering, sauté the diced onion until softened, 3 to 4 minutes, then stir in the smoked paprika, kosher salt, and garlic, cooking for 1 additional minute. Add the Bomba rice, stirring continuously to coat it in the onion mixture and lightly toast it, about 2 minutes. Pour the warm stock over the rice, then fold in the diced tomato, chickpeas, reserved bell pepper and zucchini, and the white wine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake uncovered until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 35 minutes. Carefully move the skillet back to the stovetop over medium-low heat and cook the rice without stirring until it develops a crisp base and emits a nutty aroma with a gentle crackling sound, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and let the paella rest for 10 minutes before garnishing with fresh herbs and serving with lemon wedges alongside.
Notes
Kosher Salt — This recipe was tested using Morton’s Kosher Salt. If substituting with table salt, reduce the quantity by roughly half; if using Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, increase by about 25%. Adjust seasoning to taste.