Ratatouille

I know it's late in summer for me to admit that I have made my first ratatouille of the season.  However, this is my favorite dish when I have summer squashes available.  Since I am limited in volume that I can eat, I suppose I have avoided making this because I don't know how I will use it.  However, I will give you some ideas at the end of the recipe.  Since it is still quite warm (and thus, my apartment is warm), I am still not willing to use my oven or stovetop to cook, so this recipe is developed for a slow cooker.  I will also mention that I make many different varieties of ratatouille, including one that is sort of a tomato-based sauce-like version.  This version, is more based on eggplant and squash and has an entirely different taste and feel, but there is a pleasant sweetness that I really enjoy.

Slow Cooker Ratatouille

• 1 medium eggplant, diced
• 1 large sweet onion*, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic*, minced
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 small yellow zucchini*, sliced (may use green zucchini if you have them)
• 1 medium crookneck squash*, halved and sliced
• 4 small tomatoes*, thin wedges
• 8 small bell peppers, mixed colors, large dice
•  1 Tbsp dried herbs (I use basil, but you could also use oregano, marjarom or whatever you like)

 Prepare vegetables.  Turn slow cooker to HIGH; add onion slices, garlic and eggplant.  Drizzle with olive oil; cover and cook for 1 hour, or until onions are soft. Turn cooker to LOW; add remaining ingredients.  Cook for 6-8 hours until vegetables are soft, but not mushy.

Note: this recipe, while it has tomatoes in it, is not as tomato-based as many versions are.  However, there is a nice sweetness from the eggplant and onions that is unique to ratatouille.  Serving possibilities: as a side dish, over pasta as a sort of primevera sauce, use as a filling for omelets, used as a wrap filling.  While I would love to use this as an entree, since I've had gastric surgery, I can only use it as a side dish or in omelets.  There is not enough protein to warrent using it as a meal.  

*CSA Ingredients