Ciambotta is basic cucina povera consolation meals. A vibrant one-pot veggie feast that seems like French ratatouille’s Italian cousin, simply faster, easier, and in my view, extra satisfying.
Also called giambotta, this “old skool” dish comes from Southern Italy, particularly Abruzzo (the place I’m from), plus Molise and Puglia. It was initially a humble peasant meal made to stretch no matter seasonal greens you had readily available. Finances-friendly, vegetarian, and full of various textures, tender and silky greens, and that wealthy tomatoey goodness that makes you wish to seize bread instantly.
It’s enjoyable to make, even higher to share, and right here’s the half I by no means thought I’d say…it’s so good it doesn’t even want Pecorino!
Serve it scorching and steaming, or let it cool to room temperature, it’s good all yr round.
Watch Learn how to Make Ciambotta Recipe (Italian Ratatoille)
This Simple Ciambotta Recipe Is Hearty, Wholesome, and Critically Scrumptious
Vincenzo’s Plate on Learn how to Make Ciambotta
Make It Your Personal
Ciambotta is a type of dishes that you could tweak every time, making totally different variations by swapping substances based mostly on what’s in season or what you have already got at residence. Add pumpkin if it’s winter, load it up with further eggplant or zucchini, or change pink and yellow capsicum for inexperienced. Don’t love potatoes? Go away them out.
Do Not Neglect the Bread!
Belief me on this one. Ciambotta with out bread is a missed alternative. You’ll need one thing crusty to absorb all these lovely juices on the backside of the pot. So serve it with a few of my no-knead bread, and even some freshly made ciabatta rolls.
Use the Proper Pot
I like to make use of a deep casserole dish so I can begin all the things on the stovetop and end it within the oven. Due to this, a forged iron, massive skillet, aluminium, or stainless-steel pot works completely. Simply be sure that there aren’t any plastic handles and that it’s oven-safe. Most significantly, it must be sufficiently big so you possibly can combine all the things correctly with out greens falling out.
The Potato Check
Questioning when your ciambotta is prepared? Style the potato. If it’s tender and cooked right through, the dish is completed. As soon as the potatoes are good, all the things else within the pot can be tender, wealthy, and stuffed with flavour. Even when some are a bit softer than others, this can all add to the proper texture of the dish.
Learn how to Serve Ciambotta
As soon as prepared, take away the casserole from the oven and tear recent basil by hand straight excessive.
Then, serve it scorching with loads of crusty bread. (A reminder, bread isn’t non-compulsory right here, it’s important)
Scoop the ciambotta right into a bowl or plate, after which drizzle further virgin olive oil over the bread, and serve it on the aspect. That bread is there to absorb each little bit of the gorgeous sauce and to do the all-important scarpetta on the finish.
If you wish to flip it into an even bigger meal, ciambotta can also be unbelievable served with pasta, simply cook dinner it individually to al-dente, then combine it by.
Also called Italian ratatouille, this rustic Southern Italian vegetable stew brings collectively eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and potatoes in a single deep pot, slowly constructing flavour earlier than ending within the oven for a evenly roasted, irresistible end.
What makes this dish so lovely is the way in which it’s cooked. The whole lot begins on the range, the place the greens soften and launch their juices, then it goes into the oven uncovered so the flavours focus and the highest turns into gently caramelised. The result’s a hearty, chunky stew that’s wealthy, comforting, and stuffed with vibrant color.
This recipe comes straight from my household, so you possibly can proudly serve it to yours. Easy substances, one pot, and a dish that my Mum has been asking me to share since we began Vincenzo’s Plate!
Serve it scorching and steaming, or let it cool to room temperature, it’s simply nearly as good both method. That is the form of old-school household dish that celebrates greens at their greatest, and it would simply persuade you to eat vegetarian extra typically.
Servings: individuals
- 1 onion, chopped into small items
- 2 small eggplants, small cubes
- 1 zucchini, small cubes
- 1 pink bell pepper, small cubes
- 1 yellow bell pepper, small cubes
- 2 potatoes, pores and skin eliminated (small cubes)
- 1 celery stalk, small items
- 100 g / 3.5 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 can Italian diced tomatoes, non-compulsory
- Recent basil leaves
- Additional virgin olive oil, EVOO
- Salt & pepper
Forestall your display screen from going darkish
-
Preheat your oven to 180°C / 356°F.
-
Place a deep casserole on medium-high warmth in your cooktop. Add a beneficiant quantity of additional virgin olive oil (about 7–8 tablespoons).
-
Add the onion and cook dinner for 3-4 minutes or till tender and evenly golden. Add the cherry tomatoes, cooking them till they launch their juices. Pour in a small splash of water (approx half a mug) and blend effectively.
-
Start including extra greens, beginning with the firmer ones. Add the celery and potatoes first and cook dinner for 3 minutes, stirring gently. Then add the bell peppers, stir, and cook dinner for one more 2–3 minutes.
-
Subsequent add the zucchini and eggplant within the pan. Pour in 1 full mug of water, combine effectively, and ensure nothing is sticking to the underside.
-
Stir within the canned diced tomatoes (if utilizing, they’re non-compulsory however add further taste). Season with salt and pepper to style. For further depth, add a pinch of rock salt. Let all the things cook dinner on the range for about 20 minutes, stirring sometimes.
-
Switch the casserole to the oven uncovered and bake at 180°C / 356°F for 20 minutes. After 10 minutes, take away it from the oven, give it a great combine, then return it to bake for one more 10 minutes, or till the potatoes are totally cooked.
E ora si mangia, Vincenzo’s Plate….Take pleasure in!
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/vincenzosplate
Cherished This Ciambotta? Then it’s a must to strive these Italian Dishes Subsequent
-
CHICKEN CACCIATORE – Gradual-cooked rooster, easy greens, and a deeply savoury tomato sauce come collectively on this timeless dish made for lengthy lunches and second helpings.
-
SICILIAN PASTA ALLA NORMA – This Pasta alla Norma is all about distinction, golden eggplant, silky tomato sauce, recent basil, and simply sufficient cheese to convey all the things collectively superbly.
Desirous about Italy?
Be part of my personal unique “Italy Unexplored Tour” and expertise the true Italy, like you will have by no means seen earlier than!
This tour is unique to solely 10 passionate foodies and could be very distinctive.
