Vegetable Lasagna Casserole

2 small zucchini
2 small summer squash
kosher salt
2 red bell peppers
7 oz goat cheese
1/3 cup pitted Kalamata olives
2 tsp chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 recipe tomato sauce (recipe follows)
freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1) Slice zucchini and yellow squash lengthwise into 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick strips. Lay the strips out on baking sheet pan and salt generously. Set aside.
2) Roast the peppers over a gas flame or broil on a sheet pan until completely charred, about 8 minutes. Put the peppers in a bowl, cover, and set aside until just cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes. Rub the skins off the peppers with your fingers to remove most of the charred skin. Core and remove the seeds, then slice the peppers lengthwise into 1 1/2 inch strips.
3) Preheat the oven to 375F. Mix the goat cheese, olives, thyme and red pepper flakes together in a bowl and season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
4) Thoroughly wipe excess salt and moisture from zucchini and squash with paper towel.
5) Spread 1 cup of the tomato sauce into the bottom of an 8x11 inch baking dish. Begin layering, remembering to season with pepper between each layer. Start with the zucchini and then summer squash and all the peppers. Dollop spoonfuls of the cheese over the peppers and then spread it out to cover. Spoon half of the remaining sauce over the vegetables. Repeat with the remaining zucchini, squash, goat cheese and sauce. Sprinkle top layer with Parmesan and bake, covered, for 30 minutes, then uncover. Continue baking until the vegetables are tender and the sauce thickens, about 30 minutes more. Let lasagna stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

Tomato Sauce With Basil:
1 (28 oz) can chopped tomatoes
2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
3 large garlic cloves, smashed
1 Tbs red wine vinegar
1 tsp kosher salt
1/3 cup packed basil leaves
freshly ground black pepper

Put the tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, vinegar and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, lower heat to a brisk simmer, and cook until thickened, about 30 minutes. While sauce cooks, tear basil leaves into small pieces. Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the basil. Transfer half of the sauce to a food processor and puree. Return to the saucepan and season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Review: This was a lot of work. It was also really bizarre watching the water bead up on top of the cut squash. However, this was a super yummy dish. Probably more appropriate for colder temps, but I was craving something more hearty than the salads we've been eating. Also, I didn't roast the peppers. I just used diced orange bell peppers - the grocery store was out of red bell peppers. Then, Mike was upset with me, since we have a jar of roasted red bell peppers in the house that I keep forgetting about. :(