Easy Homemade Ratatouille Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I substitute for eggplant in ratatouille? ›

Carrots as substitute for eggplant

To substitute for eggplant, I used carrots. As they cook, and the longer they cook, the more carrots become sweet. For onions, this is a sweet yellow onion.

Ratatouille is traditionally made with tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, onions, and eggplant when they are at the peak of their season at the same time. Garlic, thyme, and basil are often added to the mix as well.

Ratatouille is a French Provencal dish that consists of stewed vegetables. Though recipes and ingredients vary, there are some ingredients that are almost always used: eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini, onions, and bell peppers.

Zucchini are mild summer squashes, so any similarly mild squash would provide a similar taste and texture. I've seen recipes that use thick slices of cucumber in a similar way to zucchini but this will definitely affect the flavor.

Use yellow summer squash instead of zucchini and substitute 2 or 3 fresh garden tomatoes for the canned tomatoes for another variation.

But it's worth it for the intensity of flavor and the velvety texture. Ratatouille takes some time to make, and tastes better the next day, so plan ahead. The upside is that it's a perfect make-ahead dish for a party.

History of Ratatouille

This beloved summer stew first emerged as a solution for hunger, as it was invented by poor farmers back in 1700s Provençe. With so many bellies to fill, nothing could go to waste. Accordingly, the French peasants would cook their leftover vegetables for hours to create a hearty, coarse stew.

Modern ratatouille uses tomatoes as a foundation for sautéed garlic, onion, zucchini (courgette), aubergine (eggplant), bell pepper, marjoram, fennel and basil. Instead of basil, bay leaf and thyme, or a mix of green herbs like herbes de Provence can be used.

Cooked in olive oil with garlic, herbs, and wine, this late summer vegetable stew is rich, tender, and transcendent when made well.

Why is my ratatouille watery? ›

It won't work in a wok or sauce pan – the heat is not spread out enough and the ratatouille will become too liquidy. So basically you kind of need to stick around in the kitchen and stir it often. If you see that there is too much liquid, turn the heat up.

Hold upright, cut around the stalk, then cut into 3 pieces. Cut away any membrane, then chop into bite-size chunks. Score a small cross on the base of each of 4 large ripe tomatoes, then put them into a heatproof bowl.

Ratatouille is packed with dietary fiber, potassium, vitamins A, C and K, folate and much more. With so many vegetables included, you're bound to meet the recommended daily amount of veggies your body needs.

Layers of yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, potato, and bell pepper on a bed of flavorful tomato and béchamel sauce... for a comforting veggie dinner.

Zucchini, portobello mushrooms, bell peppers, tofu, and tempeh are all excellent substitutes that offer their own distinct flavors and textures. By using these substitutes, you can still enjoy your favorite recipes and explore new culinary creations without using eggplant.

Nightshade is a family of plants that includes tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, and peppers. Tobacco is also in the nightshade family.

In the kitchen, however, eggplant and zucchini are great together. They have very similar tastes and textures and are often used interchangeably in some dishes.

Green eggplants widely vary in appearance in Southeast Asia and Eastern Asia and are also known as Green Aubergine. There are several cultivars with specific branded names, including Thai Long Green, Green Elephant Tusk, Hari, Green Knight, Choryoku, Bangladeshi Long, and Little Green Eggplant.