A lot of sandwiches are made with unhealthy spreads, fatty proteins, and fresh veggies that are hard for people with ulcerative colitis to digest. In contrast, this gourmet vegetarian sandwich is layered with healthy fats, lower calorie goat cheese (which is also digested more easily than other cheeses), and soft grilled sweet potatoes. If onions are a trigger for your digestive flares, substitute leeks, or if dairy is a problem, try spreading hummus instead.

4 soft pretzel rolls (seedless); store-bought, or see recipe for homemade pretzels on CureRate

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch rounds

2 granny smith apples, peeled and sliced into bite-size pieces

1 avocado, sliced into bite-size pieces

2 onions, sliced into half rings (can substitute leek)

1/2 tsp basil

1/2 tsp oregano

1/4 cup red wine

3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

2 oz. goat cheese

2 Tbsp. olive oil

salt to taste

pepper

1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Toss the sweet potatoes with 1 Tbsp. olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. Roast for 20-25 minutes, turning each round over about halfway through.
3. While the sweet potatoes are cooking, heat a nonstick pan over medium high heat, add 1 Tbsp. olive oil and sauté the onions for 3 – 5 minutes, until they have softened. Add salt, pepper, basil, and oregano, and combine well.
4. Raise heat to high, and add red wine. Once the red wine is bubbling, mix in the onions so they are fully coated in the wine. As they cook, the onions will almost entirely absorb the wine, which will soften them.
5. Once the onions are softened, pour in the balsamic vinegar. Stir to combine, and allow mixture to to bubble for a few minutes.
6. Add about 1/4 cup water, and lower the heat to medium. Simmer the onions for at least 10 minutes, or until all the water has been absorbed. (If the onions are still not soft enough, add more water and simmer again. Each time you add more water, the onions will get mushier.)
7. Once the onions are a good and mushy consistency, transfer them to a bowl and set it aside.
8. Now it’s time to prepare the sandwiches – spread goat cheese on the inner sides of each piece of bread, then layer on the avocado pieces, apple slices, roasted sweet potato rounds, and onions.
9. You can enjoy this sandwich cold or warm!