Perfect for the Cast Iron Le Creuset 3.3L Round Wide Oven

Number of Servings (main course):  3 – 4
Number of Servings (side dish):  6

The Wide Round Oven lends itself perfectly to a recipe that is finished under a broiler to produce a crisp topping.  The vegetables can be cooked in advance then be reheated and finished with the topping just before you serve.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium red onion, chopped roughly
12 ounces (350 g) prepared butternut squash, cut into ½ inch (1 cm) dice
12 ounces (350 g) eggplant, cut into ½ inch (1 cm) dice
3 celery stalks, cut into ¼ inch slices
2 zucchini, cut into ½ inch slices
400 g can crushed tomatoes with their juice
8 fresh basil leaves, chopped roughly
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
3 teaspoons sugar
1½ cups (100 g) fresh white breadcrumbs
½ cup (50 g) finely grated sharp Cheddar cheese
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:
1. On the stovetop, heat the oil in the Wide Oven over medium heat. Add the onion and butternut squash and fry gently until they are lightly coloured.
2. Add the eggplant, celery, and zucchini and continue frying, turning the vegetables occasionally, for 4 to 5 minutes.
3. Add the tomatoes with their juice plus the basil, parsley, vinegar, sugar, 1/2 cup of water, and plenty of seasoning. Cover and simmer slowly for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours until the vegetables are tender (the squash will take the longest to soften).
4. When the vegetables are tender, remove the pot from the heat. Mix together the breadcrumbs and cheese with plenty of seasoning and scatter this evenly over the vegetables. Put immediately under a hot broiler to crisp and brown the top. Serve straight from the Wide Oven.

Recommended Product:  Le Creuset 3.3L  Round Wide Oven.  If using the larger, 6.4L Round Wide Oven, increase all ingredients by approximately 25%.

This recipe is taken from the Le Creuset cookbook, The Cast Iron Way to Cook.  A definitive, modern, guide to cooking in all Le Creuset cast iron pieces.  Look for it under our accessories section in Cast Iron.