Preparation time: 15 minutes. Cooking time: 30 minutes.

For a colorful vegetable dish with vivid flavor, try this combination of zucchini cooked tender-crisp in a fresh tomato sauce. It is particularly good with lamb - broiled or barbecued chops or patties.

For 4 servings you will need:

1 med. onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp. olive oil or salad oil
1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
3 med. tomatoes, peeled, chopped
1/2 tsp. each salt and dried basil leaves
1/4 tsp. each sugar and dried oregano leaves
Dash of pepper
1/4 c. dry white wine or chicken broth
1 1/2 lbs. zucchini (4 to 6 med.), unpeeled, sliced 1/4 inch thick

TIPS: This vegetable side dish can be served as a quick sauce for pasta with lots of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

PREPARATION: Cook onion in oil in a large frying pan until soft but not browned. Mix in garlic, tomatoes, salt, basil, sugar, oregano, pepper and wine. Bring to boiling, cover. Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes. Uncover. Mix in zucchini. Cook over moderately high heat, stirring frequently, until tomato sauce is reduced and thickened and zucchini is tender-crisp, about 10 minutes. Salt to taste.

For 2 servings: Half of the ingredients. For 8 servings: Double the ingredients but use only 1/3 cup white wine or broth.