Crustless Spinach, Peppers, Tomato and Ham Quiche

Song for Autumn
by Mary Oliver

In the deep fall
don’t you imagine the leaves think how
comfortable it will be to touch
the earth instead of the
nothingness of air and the endless
freshets of wind? And don’t you think
the trees themselves, especially those with mossy,
warm caves, begin to think

of the birds that will come — six, a dozen — to sleep
inside their bodies? And don’t you hear
the goldenrod whispering goodbye,
the everlasting being crowned with the first
tuffets of snow? The pond
vanishes, and the white field over which
the fox runs so quickly brings out
its blue shadows. And the wind pumps its
bellows. And at evening especially,
the piled firewood shifts a little,
longing to be on its way.

AHEAD UP NORTH and we haven't even had the official Fall start date!

Looking to shave off some calories on your next meal? Then you'll love this savory Crustless Ham Quiche with Spinach, Tomato and Peppers. Trust me you won't even miss the crust. Go meatless for a vegetarian option.  

Recipe adapted from Southern Living September 2020

Cooking Tip: Prep ingredients ahead for easier assembly.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup diced sweet onions
• 3 large handfuls of torn baby spinach leaves, remove stems
• 1 cup diced sweet mini peppers, red, yellow, orange
• 2 large tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup cooked ham (I used deli ham)
• 2 teaspoons mixed herbs e.g. parsley, thyme rosemary, basil 
• 1 cup half and half
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup baking mix (I used Bisquick) 
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups shredded White Cheddar, Pepper Jack or Colby Jack Cheese

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Dice tomatoes and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain off juices. Set aside.
• Heat oil in skillet. Saute onions, spinach leaves and peppers until spinach is wilted. 
• Fold in diced ham and tomatoes with sauteed mixture.  
• In a blender mix spices, half and half, eggs, baking mix, mustard and salt.  
• Grease a pie pan bottom and sides. Place tomato, spinach, peppers, onion, ham mixture on bottom. Sprinkle with cheese. 
  

  

  
  
•  Pour half and half egg mixture over the top.
  

  
• Bake for 22 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.