Classic Ratatouille

Slow cooking brings out the flavors of the vegetables in this consummate summer vegetable mélange inspired by the classic Provençal dish. If you have a lot of fresh tomatoes on hand, you can use them in this recipe; otherwise, canned tomatoes will do nicely. Ratatouille can be enjoyed as a main dish when you add cooked white beans and serve it over cooked grains, polenta, or pasta. It’s also a wonderful side dish or can be enjoyed as a bruschetta topping—hot, warm, or cold.