Southern Ratatouille

 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
 2 small zucchini, sliced 1/2 inch thick
 1 eggplant (about 1 pound), cut into 1-inch cubes
 1 medium onion, chopped
 1 small poblano pepper, chopped
 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
 1 pound okra, stem ends trimmed
 3 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
 3/4 cup water
 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried
 1 teaspoon salt
 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1

Heat oil in a large pot over high heat. Add zucchini, eggplant, onion, poblano and bell pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are seared and starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in okra, tomatoes, water, thyme, salt and pepper; bring to a boil.

2

Reduce heat to maintain a low simmer; partially cover and simmer, stirring often, until the vegetables are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in garlic and basil. Serve warm, at room temperature or even cold.

Shared from Eating Well.

Ingredients

 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
 2 small zucchini, sliced 1/2 inch thick
 1 eggplant (about 1 pound), cut into 1-inch cubes
 1 medium onion, chopped
 1 small poblano pepper, chopped
 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
 1 pound okra, stem ends trimmed
 3 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
 3/4 cup water
 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried
 1 teaspoon salt
 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

Directions

1

Heat oil in a large pot over high heat. Add zucchini, eggplant, onion, poblano and bell pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are seared and starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in okra, tomatoes, water, thyme, salt and pepper; bring to a boil.

2

Reduce heat to maintain a low simmer; partially cover and simmer, stirring often, until the vegetables are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in garlic and basil. Serve warm, at room temperature or even cold.

Southern Ratatouille