Humble Feast Monday - plus recipe for ratatouille

Eggplant
Photo by Devra Gartenstein

Patty Pan's Humble Feast is a series of community-based, monthly dinner events featuring local ingredients sourced primarily from area farmers who are our friends and neighbors at the markets.

They are held the first Monday of each month, 5:30 to 7:30pm at 15550 27th Ave NE, Shoreline 98155.

Reservations appreciated (and you get a discount if you prepay!)

This month's dinner is Monday August 5, 2019.

The menu: ratatouille (meat and vegetarian, though the recipe below is vegetarian), corn on the cob, cucumber salad, green salad, and fresh local fruit.

Peak of Summer Ratatouille (makes 4 servings)

2 tablespoons olive oil, or more, if needed

1 medium-size eggplant, cut into 1-inch chunks

1 teaspoon salt

1 onion, diced

4 cloves garlic

2 medium-size zucchini, thinly sliced

3 ripe tomatoes, chopped

¼ cup chopped fresh basil

Black pepper to taste

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the eggplant and salt and cook on medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, until the eggplant is tender. Add additional olive oil if needed.

Add the onion and garlic and cook for another five to ten minutes, until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the zucchini and tomatoes and cook for 20 minutes longer. Add the basil, black pepper, and additional salt if desired. Cook for another 5 minutes and serve over rice or with a thick crusted bread.

--Devra Gartenstein