Hearty Chickpea Ratatouille
This Hearty Chickpea Ratatouille is a delicious, comforting, and nutritious one-pot meal made in a Crock-Pot. It's packed with vibrant vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers, combined with protein-rich chickpeas and flavored with aromatic herbs. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or as a meal prep option for the week, this dish is not only healthy but also incredibly satisfying. Serve it with crusty bread or over rice for a complete meal.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (none)
onion
1 (chopped)
garlic cloves
4 (minced)
eggplant
6 cups (cubed (about one large))
dried basil
2 teaspoons (none)
dried oregano
1 teaspoon (none)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
red pepper
1 (cored and cut into 1-inch pieces)
yellow pepper
1 (cored and cut into 1-inch pieces)
zucchini
2 (halved lengthwise and cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks)
tomato paste
1/3 cup (none)
chickpeas
1 (19 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
canned tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (none)
fresh basil or parsley
1/4 cup (chopped)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for about 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
2
Stir in the cubed eggplant along with the dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant is slightly softened, around 6-7 minutes. Transfer this mixture into the Crock-Pot.
3
Prepare the peppers by halving, coring, and seeding them. Cut them into 1-inch pieces. Slice the zucchini in half lengthwise and then crosswise into 1 ½ inch chunks. Add both peppers and zucchini to the Crock-Pot.
4
Add the tomato paste and the drained chickpeas to the Crock-Pot. Pour in the canned tomatoes, breaking them up with a spoon to distribute evenly. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients.
5
Cover the Crock-Pot and set it to cook on low for 4 hours, or until all the vegetables are tender.
6
Once cooked, stir in the fresh basil or parsley just before serving. Adjust seasoning if needed and enjoy your hearty chickpea ratatouille!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Chickpea Ratatouille?
It is a delicious, comforting, and nutritious one-pot meal made in a Crock-Pot, packed with vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers combined with protein-rich chickpeas.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
Is this Hearty Chickpea Ratatouille recipe vegan?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as vegan and contains no animal products.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this is a vegetarian-friendly meal.
What cooking appliance is required for this recipe?
You will need a Crock-Pot (slow cooker) and a large skillet for the initial sautéing.
How long does the ratatouille need to cook in the Crock-Pot?
It should be cooked on low for 4 hours, or until all the vegetables are tender.
What temperature setting should I use on the Crock-Pot?
The recipe specifies cooking on the low setting.
Do I need to sauté the vegetables before putting them in the slow cooker?
Yes, you should sauté the onion, garlic, and eggplant in a skillet before transferring them to the Crock-Pot.
How much eggplant is needed?
The recipe calls for 6 cups of cubed eggplant, which is approximately one large eggplant.
What kind of peppers are used in this dish?
The recipe uses one red pepper and one yellow pepper.
How should the zucchini be prepared?
The zucchini should be halved lengthwise and then cut crosswise into 1 1/2 inch chunks.
Do the chickpeas need to be prepared in a specific way?
Yes, you should use one 19-ounce can of chickpeas that have been drained and rinsed.
What type of canned tomatoes are used?
The recipe requires one 28-ounce can of tomatoes, which you break up with a spoon.
How much garlic is included in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 minced garlic cloves.
What dried herbs are used for seasoning?
The dish is seasoned with 2 teaspoons of dried basil and 1 teaspoon of dried oregano.
What fresh herbs should be added at the end?
You can stir in 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil or parsley just before serving.
What should I serve with Hearty Chickpea Ratatouille?
It is recommended to serve this dish with crusty bread or over rice for a complete meal.
How much tomato paste is needed?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of tomato paste.
What type of oil is used for sautéing?
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil is used to sauté the initial ingredients.
Is this recipe considered a one-pot meal?
Yes, it is described as a one-pot meal made primarily in the Crock-Pot.
What is the preparation for the peppers?
The peppers should be cored, seeded, and cut into 1-inch pieces.
How much salt and pepper is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
Can I use this recipe for meal prep?
Yes, this dish is mentioned as a great meal prep option for the week.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 15 ingredients in this recipe.
Is this dish part of any specific cuisine?
It is tagged as a Mediterranean-style dish.
When do I add the zucchini to the Crock-Pot?
The zucchini is added to the Crock-Pot along with the peppers after the eggplant mixture has been transferred.
How do I handle the canned tomatoes?
Pour them into the Crock-Pot and break them up with a spoon to distribute them evenly.
Should I adjust the seasoning?
Yes, once cooked, you can adjust the seasoning to your preference before serving.
How long do I sauté the onion and garlic?
Sauté them for about 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
How long do I cook the eggplant in the skillet?
Cook the eggplant for 6-7 minutes until it is slightly softened before moving it to the Crock-Pot.