Ciambotta Twiins Style (Italian Summer Vegetable Stew)
If you’re lucky enough to have a have a garden with an abundance of fresh vegetables, you must try making some Ciambotta (pronounced chim-botta)! Even if you don’t have a garden, grocery stores are full of a variety of fresh, local produce during the summer. It’s a delicious and nutritious way to use your harvest or take advantage of the fresh produce available now. Ciambotta can also be spelled giambotta, depending on the region of Italy. This version is a southern Italy farm dish. The great thing about this dish is you can use whatever veggies you like. The key is big, equal size cubes or chunks... and it’s naturally Gluten-Free. I served it with crusty whole wheat French bread drizzled with EVOO and Za’atar seasoning. It was delicious. Enjoy. 😋❤️
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion, cubed
- 8-10 cloves large garlic, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup EVOO
- 4-5 golden Yukon potatoes, cubed
- 6 large Roma tomatoes, skin & seeds removed, cubed
- 2 medium eggplants, ends removed and cubed
- 2 medium zucchini, ends removed and cubed
- 1 large green bell pepper, washed, seeded & cut into big chunks
- 1 large red bell pepper, washed, seeded & cut into big chunks
- 1 large yellow or orange bell pepper, washed, seeded & cut into big chunks
- 2 handfuls of fresh spinach (optional)
- 1 jalapeño (I used jalapeño) or long Italian hot pepper (optional)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 20 fresh basil leaves, torn right before adding
- 1 sprig Greek oregano, (optional)
Directions
- Boil the Roma tomatoes for a few minutes until the skin starts to crack. Remove from boiling water and cool. Once cool enough to handle you can easily peel off the skin., Cut them in half, remove the seeds and cube.
- In a minimum 6 qt deep Dutch oven, On medium-high, heat EVOO until it starts to shimmer.
- Add the onions and garlic and turn several times until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeño pepper, zucchini, potatoes, give it a good turn.
- Add the eggplants last. Turn well and cook about 10 minutes.
- Add salt and black pepper to taste and tear the basil leaves, sprig of Greek oregano (if using) and add to pot. Stir together.
- Lower flame to medium-low and cover. Cook about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Now is a good time to prepare any pasta or crusty bread.
- For the bread: Preheat oven to 400ºF. Slice the Italian or French bread into 1/2-inch slices and place on foiled baking sheet. Drizzle each piece with EVOO then sprinkle with Za’atar seasoning, garlic powder, & a little sea salt.
- Bake about 4 minutes until golden brown. (Bake when Ciambotta is just about done)
- Serve in pasta dishes with crusty bread on the side or over pasta & garnish with fresh basil leaves.
Notes: Serve with crusty gluten-free bread to keep completely gluten-free or use Italian or French bread to soak up the juices! Can be served with pasta too.
Recipe adapted from Pasquale Sciarappa.
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