Nanny Schembre'S Favorite Ratatouille
Nanny Schembre's favorite ratatouille is a vibrant, hearty vegetable stew blending fresh tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, peppers, and aromatic herbs. Its rich flavors and comforting texture make it perfect as a side or a cooling salad, appealing to vegetable lovers and those seeking wholesome, flavorful dishes.
Ingredients
- 4 tsp chopped fresh Italian parsley
- 1 tsp oregano ⓘ
- freshly ground pepper to taste ⓘ
- salt, if desired ⓘ
- 4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil ⓘ
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped fine ⓘ
- 1 medium white onion, chopped ⓘ
- 2 zucchini, sliced
- 1 large eggplant, peeled and cubed
- 2 celery stalks, sliced ⓘ
- 1 green pepper, sliced ⓘ
- 1 red pepper, sliced ⓘ
- 8 to 10 large marshmallows, sliced ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 5 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and sliced or 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes ⓘ
Instructions
- Lightly saute garlic and onions in olive oil.
- Dust vegetables with flour, except tomatoes.
- Add vegetables to the skillet along with peeled and sliced tomatoes, salt, pepper, parsley, oregano, and basil.
- Cook over medium heat for 30 minutes.
- Stir, turn heat down to low, and simmer for an additional hour.
- Serve as a side vegetable or cold as a salad for lunch.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding fresh basil or thyme to the dish. If you're out of fresh vegetables, frozen mixed vegetables can be a convenient substitute. You can also adjust the sweetness by adding a bit of sugar if the tomatoes are too acidic. For a vegetarian twist, swap out the marshmallows for roasted nuts or seeds to add texture and protein.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Nanny Schembre's Favorite Ratatouille as a vibrant side dish alongside grilled meats or fish. It pairs beautifully with Stuffed Eggplant And Tomatoes(Taua) or can be enjoyed cold as a refreshing salad for lunch. Consider serving it with crusty bread to soak up the delicious juices.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in a skillet over low heat until heated through, or microwave in short intervals, stirring in between. This dish also tastes great cold, making it perfect for lunch the next day.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Nanny Schembre'S Favorite Ratatouille contains roughly 846 calories, with 20g protein, 111g carbohydrates, and 36g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (58% of the Daily Value), iron (46% of the Daily Value), and protein (41% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2903mg per serving (126% of the Daily Value).
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 make this ratatouille ahead of time?
Yes, this dish can be made a day in advance, allowing the flavors to meld together. Just be sure to cool it completely before refrigerating. When ready to serve, you can reheat it or enjoy it cold.
Is it possible to make this ratatouille vegan?
Absolutely! This recipe is already vegan-friendly as it contains no animal products. Just ensure that the marshmallows you use are free of gelatin, or replace them with roasted nuts or seeds for added texture.
What can I serve with ratatouille?
Ratatouille is versatile and can be served with a variety of dishes. It pairs well with pasta, rice, or couscous. You can also serve it alongside Mediterranean recipes like Kibbee And Eggs or as a filling in wraps for a delicious lunch.
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).