Farm-Stand Ratatouille
Farm-Stand Ratatouille is a vibrant vegetable stew featuring eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, and peppers, perfect for a wholesome, flavorful vegetarian meal or side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 c. coarsely chopped onions ⓘ
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil or cooking oil ⓘ
- 1 medium eggplant, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces ⓘ
- 2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch pieces ⓘ
- 3 medium tomatoes, seeded and cut into 3/4-inch pieces ⓘ
- 3 small or 2 medium yellow summer squash, cut into 1/2-inch pieces ⓘ
- 1 large green pepper, coarsely chopped ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. snipped fresh oregano or 1 tsp. dried oregano, crushed ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- In a 4 or 5-quart Dutch oven, cook onions and garlic in hot olive oil or cooking oil for 3 to 4 minutes, or until onions are tender but not brown.
- Stir in eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, summer squash, green pepper, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
- Uncover and cook for 5 to 10 minutes more, or until liquid is slightly reduced.
- Remove from heat.
- Allow to cool slightly.
- If desired, stir in mozzarella cheese.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider roasting the vegetables before adding them to the pot. You can substitute eggplant with mushrooms for a different texture, or use fresh basil instead of oregano for a fragrant twist. Don’t skip the step of seeding the tomatoes, as it helps prevent excess liquid in the dish.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the ratatouille warm or at room temperature, making it a versatile dish for any meal. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or over a bed of rice. For a complete Mediterranean meal, consider serving with a side of Easy Greek Salad or Penne With Artichokes.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through. This dish also benefits from resting, as the flavors continue to meld after cooking.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Farm-Stand Ratatouille contains roughly 305 calories, with 6g protein, 24g carbohydrates, and 21g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (56% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and iron. It also contributes 5g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen vegetables for this ratatouille?
While fresh vegetables yield the best flavor and texture, you can use frozen ones in a pinch. Just be sure to thaw and drain them well before adding to the pot to avoid excess moisture.
What can I do with leftovers?
Leftover ratatouille can be repurposed in various ways. Try it as a filling for omelets, a topping for baked potatoes, or mixed into pasta for a quick meal. It also makes a great base for Vegetable Gratin.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! This ratatouille keeps well and is perfect for meal prep. Make a large batch at the beginning of the week, and enjoy it throughout for lunches or dinners. Just remember to store it properly in the fridge.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).