Ratatouille-Stuffed Mushrooms

Growing up, it was our family custom not to eat any peels on Pesach, so fresh greens and herbs were out of the question. My mother would prepare huge mason jars filled with beet salad, cucumber salad, and ratatouille, and we slowly made our way through the jars one meal at a time. While classic ratatouille often calls for tomato paste or sauce, this mushroom-stuffed Pesach version uses no processed ingredients, so those of you with strict Pesach traditions can enjoy it too!

Directions

For the Ratatouille

In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about five minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.

Add peppers and continue to sauté until softened. Add eggplant and zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften. Add tomatoes, herbs (if desired), salt, and pepper, and cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a simmer.

Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. If the mixture is liquidy, uncover the pot and continue to cook over high heat until some of the moisture evaporates and the mixture thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding a pinch of sugar, if desired.

Make the Mushrooms

To make stuffed mushrooms, preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).

Remove the mushroom stems and place a tablespoon of ratatouille into each mushroom cap. Arrange the mushroom caps on a greased baking sheet.

Sprinkle with chopped almonds and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and roast until mushrooms are tender, about 25 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil.

Tips:

To make this an entrée, use portobello mushroom caps and fill them with ricotta cheese (mixed with an egg and herbs) or ground chicken (mixed with an egg, some almond meal, and herbs) and top with ratatouille. Continue as above.