Ratatouille AKA Glorified Zucchini Casserole

Isn't it pretty.  

What to do with all the zucchini and squash that is suddenly overtaking your garden.  I have found the answer and if you tell your kids it is Ratatouille then they just might try it.  OK, I'll admit though that my dad still hated this dish even with the fancy name.  So if your daddy-o is like mine cover the dish in butter and cream and sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on top and blind fold him and he just might like it.  My granny had to do this when my dad was a boy.  You know the saying,"It's always funny until someone gets their eye poked out." well it was funny until little Rod did get his eye poked out, and had to lay around with both eyes bandaged for weeks. My granny disguised carrots with the preparation mentioned above, and fed my dad lots of "candied carrots" to bring back his eye sight.  It was a miracle that my dad could see and you'd think he'd have a soft spot for carrots, but no.  Now that he can see he won't eat carrots.  He acts like a 2 year old when carrots are around, and zucchini too.

I love fried zucchini with ranch dressing, and I love Zucchini Bread.  I love zucchini sauted with onions and then topped with Velveeta.  Today I'm going to improvise, and make a Zucchini Banana Carrot Bread.  Sounds interesting doesn't it.  I'll post it if it's good.  So on to the Ratatouille and the zucchini preparation at hand.  I loved the recipe that I found in Ina Garten's cookbook.  I added a little something from another recipe though.  That would be the cream and cheese addition. It totally makes the dish unhealthy, but delicious.  This casserole is really pretty too, and I love it leftover for breakfast.  I warm it in the microwave, place it on a piece of Honey Whole Wheat bread and top it with a fried egg.  The kind where the yolk drips down the sides.  YUM!

Ratatouille

1 large onion diced

2 cloves garlic diced

Saute the onion and garlic in a pan with a little bit of oil until tender.  About 5 mins.  Place the onion and garlic in the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan.  Top with slices of the remaining veggies .

1 zucchini sliced

1 crookneck squash sliced 

4-5 red potatoes sliced

4-5 home grown tomatoes sliced

generous sprinkling of salt and pepper

Place uncovered in a 475'F oven for 30-40 mins.  Check with a knife that the potatoes are tender.  When the veggies are tender pour the next three ingredients on top.

1 c. cream

1c. Parmesan cheese

fresh torn basil

Place back in the oven for another 15 mins. until the cheese and cream is bubbly.  Let sit for a few minutes and serve.  It goes great with any meat, or as a breakfast casserole.