Ratatouille with Pesto

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

  • 4 hot peppers, optional
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 12 oz eggplant, peeled and cut into ½ inch pieces
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced or leek thinly sliced (all white and light green parts)
  • 8oz colored bell pepper, seeded and cut into ½ inch pieces
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 baby loofah or 1 large summer squash, cut into ½ inch thick rounds
  • 28 oz. diced tomatoes and ground cherries – a combo
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
    • ⅔ cup pine nuts or walnuts
    • 20 borage leaves, no stems
    • ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
    • ½ cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

Directions Ratatouille:

  1. Sprinkle kosher salt over the eggplant. Let it sit for 45 minutes. Then rinse throughly.
  2. While waiting for the eggplant to finish, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion or leek, cover, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Next, lower the heat to medium low and add the garlic. Saute with the onion for 5 more minutes. Transfer to a 3 ½ – 4 quart slow cooker.
  3. Add the eggplant to the skillet along with another tablespoon of oil. Cook, stirring until softened, about 7 minutes. on medium heat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the eggplant to the slow cooker.
  4. Add the bell pepper, chili peppers, summer squash, and tomatoes/ground cherries. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for on low for 4 hours.
  5. Just before serving, stir in the pesto.
  6. Directions Pesto
  7. Saute garlic on medium low until softened, 5-7 minutes.
  8. Place garlic, nuts, borage leaves into food processor and chop until mixed well. Add olive oil and salt and process until creamy. Stir in the parmesan cheese.

Adapted from from Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker & Relish.com
10/6/2023