Lots of colorful vegetables and salsa make this cheesy panini prettier than any grilled cheese you’ve ever seen. The small amount of Cheddar cheese in this sandwich goes a long way because it is shredded and sharp. Serve with a mixed salad and you’ve got a delightful lunch or light supper. If you happen to have a panini maker, go ahead and skip Step 3 and grill the panini according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Makes 4 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 25 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 25 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

4 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded zucchini
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup prepared salsa
1 tablespoon chopped pickled jalapeño pepper (optional)
8 slices whole-wheat bread
2 teaspoons canola oil

1. Have four 15-ounce cans and a medium skillet (not nonstick) ready by the stove.
2. Combine Cheddar, zucchini, carrot, onion, salsa and jalapeño (if using) in a medium bowl. Divide among 4 slices of bread and top with the remaining bread.
3. Heat 1 teaspoon canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place 2 panini in the pan. Place the medium skillet on top of the panini, then weigh it down with the cans. Cook the panini until golden on one side, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, flip the panini, replace the top skillet and cans, and cook until the second side is golden, 1 to 3 minutes more. Repeat with another 1 teaspoon oil and the remaining panini.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 331 calories; 14 g fat (5 g sat, 2 g mono); 30 mg cholesterol; 37 g carbohydrate; 16 g protein; 5 g fiber; 523 mg sodium; 163 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (50% daily value), Calcium (30% dv), Vitamin C (20% dv), Iron (15% dv).
2 Carbohydrate Servings
Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 1/2 vegetable, 1 high-fat meat

This is an excellent take on a grilled cheese sandwich. I found myself having cravings for this sandwich again the day after I tried it for the first time!

Sally

This was a great recipe and my first from EatingWell.com. I added a bit of garlic instead of using the jalapeno. It was very good. I put a cast iron skillet on top w/a heavy glass on top of that, but it got pretty smashed. I'm going to put it in my Snackster next time to grill it.

, Laramie, WY

Another great way to make Panini, is on your George Forman Grilling Machine, or something similar. Put a weight on top to press.

, Jefferson, WI

Another great way to make Panini, is on your George Forman Grilling Machine, or something similar. Put a weight on top to press.

, Jefferson, WI

My 15-month old son loved these!! He ate any entire sandwich (I left out the jalapeno). Great way to get kids to eat veggies. Even my husband who isn't a zucchini fan liked them.

, Acton, MA

Maybe I didn't have the heat on high enough, but the cheese really didn't melt all that well. And when I turned the heat up, the bread started to burn. In the end, the sandwich was very messy with moisture.

, Seattle, WA

This was really good and really easy to make (if you buy everything preshredded). It was also more filling than I would have thought. I almost could not finish one sandwich with a small bowl of tomato soup. Will definitely make this one again.

karie , Lake Alfred, FL

I loved this recipe! My meat-and-potatoes boyfriend loved it too, because he said it tastes just like taco salad. But better.

, Burlington, VT

I had this for my birthday dinner, and it was amazing! It couldn't have been better! Even the kids all loved it!

Joe, Chicago, IL

Worked perfectly in a UK toasted sandwich maker (possibly similar to a Snackmaker)- filling stayed put as the edges are all sealed. Kids loved it - even with zucchini. I didn't use salsa but still worked really well. Great lunch time snack.

Karen, Wellington, NO

We loved this recipe. It is fast and very tasty.

Daniela, CT

Easy! and so tasty!

Jeannette, Austin, TX

This was decent. Certainly different. I used my panini maker. I left out the onion and jalapenos (my salsa has plenty of both). Even though it would kill the health value of this sandwich, I think it would be good with some bacon on it.

Julie, Charlotte, NC

I love my vegetables, but they really didn't do it for me in this Panini. It was edible, but the flavor was just--odd and not really enjoyable. Must have been something I did wrong, since everyone else seems to give this recipe high reviews.. but I followed everything exactly as instructed. I think adding a cheese layer after you put the mix on the bread would have made a nice "cheesier" Panini.

Adam, Winston-Salem, NC