Recipe

Bayaldi

Community Pick!

Recipe
No Questions Yet

Photo 1 of 2
by thirschfeld

Photo 2 of 2
by thirschfeld

This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Recipe Using Fresh Mozzarella

This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Summer Squash Recipe
A&M's Testing Notes: This wonderful, layered casserole will be familiar to lovers of Ratatouille. The thin slices of summer vegetable soften and melt into a wonderful dish. The top layer of cheese is melty and...
This wonderful, layered casserole will be familiar to lovers of Ratatouille. The thin slices of summer vegetable soften and melt into a wonderful dish. The top layer of cheese is melty and bubbling, with just a few tasty brown bubbles. Fennel is a wonderful addition to the classic zucchini, summer squash, tomato and onion. Just a touch of thyme completes the dish. You will flash back (or forward) to a warm summer in Provence. - Stephanie

Expand Collapse
Chef
thirschfeld's Notes: Classic and time honored French veggie casserole with summer vegetables. I like to call it crustless pizza and as the summer passes and the veggies get to be better quality this dish only...
Classic and time honored French veggie casserole with summer vegetables. I like to call it crustless pizza and as the summer passes and the veggies get to be better quality this dish only gets better. I used a mandoline to cut the veg but you can certainly use a knife just try to cut all the same thickness so they cook the same. Traditionally this would have eggplant in it and no fennel but I like the flavors better this way. - thirschfeld Originally I submitted this with mozzarella but in reality I like it best with comte.

Expand Collapse

Serves 4 to 6

2 small zucchini, slice 1/4 inch thick Ask the
hotline about
this ingredient!

2 small yellow summer squash, slice 1/4 inch thick Ask the
hotline about
this ingredient!

1 fennel bulb, outer layer and core removed, thinly sliced Ask the
hotline about
this ingredient!

1 onion, peeled and thinly sliced Ask the
hotline about
this ingredient!

2 cloves of fresh garlic, peeled and minced Ask the
hotline about
this ingredient!

2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced Ask the
hotline about
this ingredient!

3 roma tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick Ask the
hotline about
this ingredient!

1 1/2 cup comte cheese , grated Ask the
hotline about
this ingredient!

kosher salt and fresh ground pepper Ask the
hotline about
this ingredient!

extra virgin olive oil Ask the
hotline about
this ingredient!

2 tablespoons unsalted butter Ask the
hotline about
this ingredient!

Toss the zucchini and yellow squash with a couple of healthy pinches of salt and set them in a colander placed in the sink. Let them drain for 20 to 30 minutes to get rid of excess moisture. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Ask the hotline about this step!
Meanwhile lightly coat the bottom of a casserole or gratin dish with some olive oil. Layer the onion and fennel in the bottom. Sprinkle the garlic and season with salt and pepper.
Ask the hotline about this step!
When the zucchini and squash are ready layer them with the tomato sprinkling them with the thyme.
Ask the hotline about this step!
Cube the butter into small cubes and spread it across the top. Place in the oven for 40 minutes.
Ask the hotline about this step!
At the end of 40 minutes remove the casserole from the oven and turn it to broil. Place the rounds of mozzarella evenly across the top.
Ask the hotline about this step!
Place the dish back into the oven and brown the top being careful not to burn the cheese. Serve immediately.
Ask the hotline about this step!

Summer of Eggplant added 4 months ago

Pretty picture, trying this tonight.

DeArmasA added about 1 year ago

Sounds like heaven to me... we'll see what the animal-fat-in-everything-eaters in the house say!

AntoniaJames added about 1 year ago

Gorgeous! Love the way you arranged the veggie slices together. Agree that it's better without the eggplant (texture just isn't compatible). Really like that you added fennel. Definitely am going to try this one. What a great summer dish. ;o)