“How can I describe it? Good food is like music you can taste, color you can smell. There is excellence all around you. You need only to be aware to stop and savor it.” ~ Pixar’s Ratatouille
When the hubs and I set out for Spain, I had a list of food that I had to try. High on this list was Pisto Manchego. Pisto Manchego is basically ratatouille Spanish style. I’ve made French Ratatouille and it is divine but the truth is the Spanish version is just as good and far easier to make. The first time I tried it was at a little bar on the way back to our hotel. We had ordered a couple of beers and it came with the drinks as the tapa of the day. I was so happy. I didn’t have to go off looking for it, it came to me!
This recipe I’m sharing with you today fills your mouth with all the flavors of summer that are at their peek at this moment. You can have it as a side or as part of a tapa menu served with bread. Either way, you are bound to fall in love with it.
¡Enjoy!
Pisto Manchego
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 medium or 1 large onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 4 small zucchini cubed
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 2 large beef tomatoes or 4 medium tomatoes peeled and cubed
- salt & pepper
- 2 tbsp parsley chopped
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pan or cazuela. Put in the onion and garlic and fry gently until they are translucent.
- Add the vegetables and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Let the vegetables cook over medium heat until the liquid is mostly evaporated about 30 minutes.
I love food! I read cookbooks like they were novels. I get giddy in a farmer’s market. I find a chicken in a pot surrounded by carrots, onion, and celery a thing of beauty. My favorite sound is Mmmmmmmm!
I LOVE that quote from Ratatouille! Such a cute movie! I absolutely love classic ratatouille (the dish), but I’ve never heard of Pisto Manchego! Where has this been my whole life?! It looks amazing! I’m adding this to my must try list! Cheers!
Thanks Cheyanne! Pisto was a game changer for me and even my pickiest granddaughter loved it. 🙂
I can’t resist this! Not only is it pleasing to the eye – it contains all of my favorite summer flavors!
Thanks, Annie! It definitely makes the most of the abundance of summer. 🙂
This sounds delicious, Tammy! My mom makes something similar with zucchini, tomatoes, onions and garlic — minus the peppers. I love dishes like these for lunch with some crusty bread.
Yes, that’s all you need to go with it and how we ate it in Spain. These old recipes from old countries are always good. 😀
We had this in Spain too and loved it! So good with wine 😉 Very happy you recreated it and now I can make it at home! YAY! Thanks Tammy 🙂
Your welcome! It was an entirely selfish act though. I just couldn’t wait until our next vacation to have this. 😀 I had to find a recipe that could take me back there anytime.