Each year I attempt to grow all the ingredients needed for the dish Ratatouille. That includes Aubergines, Sweet Bell Peppers, Onions, Courgettes, Tomatoes, Garlic and the herbs Marjoram and Basil. Except for the Aubergines I am mostly successful at growing all the rest. It is a French Provencal stewed veg dish originating in Nice - the French word 'touiller' means 'to toss food'.
Aubergine - Tomato Marmande and Sweet Peppers
This is usually an autumn dish when there should be a 'glut' of everything and Ratatouille can be made and frozen to eat during the winter months.
Courgettes
So far so good - I have all the ingredients growing well after a slow start - and it will be a while before the large tomatoes start ripening - but it looks like the Ratatouille eventually will be good to go. There are a few different ways of making this dish - but I usually cook each component separately then add them all together in a large pan with red wine vinegar and sugar and simmer for a while till cooked.
The recipe for the above picture roasts all the veg first then mixes them alltogether and puts them back in the oven with cheese on top and grills till brown. There are quite a few variations on cooking Ratatouille - all of them delicious - which way do you prefer - and are you growing a Ratatouille garden?
And of course there is always the wonderful film 'Ratatouille' - enjoy!
I sure am. I bottle mine; I usually do about 20 500gm bottles each year. Last years stock should just about last until winter, then this summer's preserves will be ready to take on the relay. We're never without!
Looks yum, I bought an aubergine plant (very large one) half price for £5. It came with aubergines growing, so I may also be making my own later this year.
It's possible we may have ratatouille ingredients although we grow the long peppers which seem more successful for us and just to match we hope to grow long aubergines too.
I'm the only one in our house who likes aubergine so when ours are ready I now know what to do with them. Great post Elaine. Hope your toms get on an ripen for you. x
Last year yes, I did have a Ratatouille garden, this year, thanks to a house move, the weathr and the deer that came and ate the contents of most of my veggie patch, all I have are little bullet sized green tomatoes.
Whata difference a year makes!!
And I do cook all the ingredients together for mine, I love the mingling richness of the taste this way.
What a good idea to grow the ingredients for a favourite dish. I have courgettes and the herbs Elaine but that's about it this year I'm afraid. No onions, garlic or toms but there is always next year, and aubergines and peppers are certainly things I would like to grow. Enjoy your Ratatouille.
Fantastic! I'm always participating in these "eating local" challenges, and I want an entire meal grown from my garden. I'm hoping to make salsa, but if I had planted eggplant this would be perfect.
It is alright in theory - it breaks down when one of your ingredients dies or doesn't perform very well - I am just hoping that each plant does what it is supposed to do.
I sure am. I bottle mine; I usually do about 20 500gm bottles each year. Last years stock should just about last until winter, then this summer's preserves will be ready to take on the relay. We're never without!
ReplyDeleteActually, bottling would suit me better as I never have enough room in the freezer - great stuff.
DeleteI love ratatouille as it's so versatile - fun film ;-)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the tomatoes to ripen instead of using tinned - proper tomatoes make all the difference.
DeleteLooks yum, I bought an aubergine plant (very large one) half price for £5. It came with aubergines growing, so I may also be making my own later this year.
ReplyDeleteI don't think aubergines are the most useful veg in the world but it is always a challenge trying to get them to produce a decent harvest
DeleteIt's possible we may have ratatouille ingredients although we grow the long peppers which seem more successful for us and just to match we hope to grow long aubergines too.
ReplyDeleteI actually prefer the long peppers and I don't suppose it matters what shape they are once they're in the pot.
DeleteI'm the only one in our house who likes aubergine so when ours are ready I now know what to do with them. Great post Elaine. Hope your toms get on an ripen for you. x
ReplyDeleteI must admit I'm not terribly keen but they are ok in ratatouille - as for the toms they are getting really big now but still very green - boo
DeleteThat looks delicious but as for growing all the ingredients...! Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteWell you're half way there with onions, tomatoes and courgettes - but I suppose you really need a greenhouse for the rest.
DeleteLast year yes, I did have a Ratatouille garden, this year, thanks to a house move, the weathr and the deer that came and ate the contents of most of my veggie patch, all I have are little bullet sized green tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteWhata difference a year makes!!
And I do cook all the ingredients together for mine, I love the mingling richness of the taste this way.
Sue xx
O how awful - pesky animals - oh well, there is always next year
DeleteI think that's what keeps us gardeners happy......the thought that there IS always next year, we cannot be beaten, well not for long anyway.
DeleteI have just had a solution to my completely eaten veggie garden and I'll be blogging about it soon.
Sue xx
Recipe looks so good, I Pinned it :)
ReplyDeleteI love Ratatouille and this is a particularly good one.
DeleteHi Elaine,
ReplyDeleteSimply sublime-I love the stuff-and really liked the film clip too-one of my favourites!!
Good - we are in agreement with everything then.
ReplyDeleteThe Ratatouille dish sounds wonderful and I love the film! :)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the tomatoes to ripen so I can use them instead of tinned tomatoes.
DeleteWhat a good idea to grow the ingredients for a favourite dish. I have courgettes and the herbs Elaine but that's about it this year I'm afraid. No onions, garlic or toms but there is always next year, and aubergines and peppers are certainly things I would like to grow. Enjoy your Ratatouille.
ReplyDeleteJeanne
x
It hasn't been a very good growing year with many things and I usually have problems with aubergines - but so far so good - fingers crossed.
DeleteFantastic! I'm always participating in these "eating local" challenges, and I want an entire meal grown from my garden. I'm hoping to make salsa, but if I had planted eggplant this would be perfect.
ReplyDeleteIt is alright in theory - it breaks down when one of your ingredients dies or doesn't perform very well - I am just hoping that each plant does what it is supposed to do.
DeleteHi Elaine:
ReplyDeleteYou should try growing 'Fairy Tale' eggplant, yikes it's prolific. The you would have all your ingredients.
Love the ratatouille!
I'll have to keep my eye out for that one - I have had a couple of aubergines already but they are very slow growing.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, that will be my first plan when I get a greenhouse!
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to ask Father Christmas nicely for one.
DeleteThat looks very similar to a dish I make... and the family loves! And isn't it grand that the ingredients come from the garden?
ReplyDeleteOne of the pleasures of growing your own veggies.
DeleteI love your veggie garden. I can't make one grow in Holland. Soil and weather conditions I guess. xo Jenny
ReplyDeletePerhaps you could try growing a few things in containers instead.
Delete