Ratatouille Crostini

Put those pretty summer veggies to use in this colorful, healthy and absolutely delicious appetizer!

Ratatouille Crostini – Put those pretty summer veggies to use in this colorful, healthy and delish appetizer! | thecomfortofcooking.com

I cannot get enough of summer’s bright and vibrant colors! From the fuschia flowers blooming outside the office where I type, to my breezy teal skirt dusting the floor, and the colorful ingredients I cook with… I tell ya, I’m a winter girl at heart who’s really learning to love this whole summer thing.

I mean, except for the mosquitoes and the sweat, of course. But a little bug spray and a splash in the closest pool/pond/lake can cure all that ails you from June to early fall!

Ratatouille Crostini – Put those pretty summer veggies to use in this colorful, healthy and delish appetizer! | thecomfortofcooking.com

Just look at this mouthwatering medley of vibrant summer veggies! Ratatouille is one of my favorite excuses to use ‘em up and make ‘em shine. Pile your veggies in a big, pretty dish with tomato sauce for a fabulous full-sized side (my hubby’s favorite). Or, grill up those gorgeous squash, peppers, tomatoes and onions to toss them with pasta.

If you’re looking for a gorgeous two-bite treat to serve at BBQs alongside the savory fare, though, I’ve got ya covered.

Ratatouille Crostini – Put those pretty summer veggies to use in this colorful, healthy and delish appetizer! | thecomfortofcooking.com

But what’s a good crostini without cheese?

Let’s do it like the French and grab the best baguette we can find, slather it with a bit of butter and toast it ‘til golden brown. Sprinkle on a pinch of shredded mozzarella, slip it back into your oven, and when it’s ready, ravish it with warm, melt-in-your-mouth roasted ratatouille!

Ratatouille Crostini – Put those pretty summer veggies to use in this colorful, healthy and delish appetizer! | thecomfortofcooking.com

You can serve these beautiful bites hotter than a Texas summer, or at room temperature if timing is tricky. If you take it from me, the toastier the tastier. When those veggies have a little heat underneath them, you can really taste their salty, earthy flavors. Combined with the gooey mozzarella? Oh, don’t even get me started.

Sprinkle the crostini with parsley, pop ‘em on a tray and pass these out to party guests for any summer occasion. And, don’t forget to grab yourself a glass of crisp white wine for all your hard work! Even though they were a piece a’ cake…

Ratatouille Crostini

Ratatouille Crostini

Yield: 30 to 35 crostini

Ingredients

  • 1 medium eggplant, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 large or 2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 medium red onion, diced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • Butter nonstick cooking spray, or 4 Tbsp. melted butter
  • 1 French baguette, sliced into 1-inch thick slices
  • 2 cups 8 oz. Sargento® Fine Cut Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley or 2 Tbsp. dried

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
  2. On a large baking sheet, combine eggplant, zucchini, onion and bell pepper. In a separate small bowl, mix oil, lemon juice, garlic, basil, oregano and salt. Drizzle over vegetables, tossing to coat.
  3. Roast for 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Halfway through cooking time, remove from oven and stir in diced tomatoes with liquid. Transfer back to oven and roast for 10 more minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, place baguette slices on a large baking sheet. Spray with nonstick butter spray or brush with butter, and toast in oven until golden, 5-6 minutes. Remove from oven and top each slice with a pinch of mozzarella. Transfer back to oven for 2-3 minutes to melt cheese.
  5. Top each toast slice with heaping 1 tablespoon vegetable mixture and a sprinkle of parsley. Serve warm or at room temperature.
  6. Enjoy!

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Join the Conversation

  1. I recently have become obsessed with crostini (just made some today) so this is right up my alley! I also love the eggplant in this – I don’t get enough eggplant in my diet!

  2. Ah! totally loved it. Mouth watering indeed :)
    http://www.merrytummy.blogspot.com

  3. Fabulous summer appetizer recipe, Georgia! Love the idea of topping crostini with melty Italian cheese (of any kind) and Ratatouille. Mmm! Thanks for sharing!

  4. Such a lovely idea.
    :-) Mandy

  5. These crostini look wonderful!

  6. These summery crostini look terrific!

  7. Georgia, these little hunks of crusty bread topped with that vibrant veggie medley look absolutely wonderful. I want to reach through the screen and grab one.

  8. Beautiful crostini! Colorful and nutritious – I love how they look!

  9. This looks like the perfect summer (dinner) to me. Bread, butter, cheese, and fresh veggies with a side of wine. I’d say you got it covered – lol! We are trying to stay cool here in NY this summer too – hot and humid!

  10. This is so pretty and delicious looking. I could definitely make a meal of it. I too am so thrilled with all the wonderful produce, can’t seem to get enough!

  11. I am crostini obsessed these day!! Cheesy toasty bread is so good! I love all these veggies on yours though. Summer veggies are the best. These are calling my name!

  12. Oh my yum! I can totally picture enjoying this out on my back desk with a bottle of wine. Delicious!

  13. Love all of the fresh summer veggies! These will make a perfect side to our next bbq!

  14. Gorgeous!! I’m with you on the mosquitos omg can they please die off?

  15. I love these. I would stand in line for an hour for one of these. Really appetizing!

  16. These look lovely! Just the veg medley alone is mouth watering!

  17. Color, fun, and cheesy! These are party perfect Georgia, though I wouldn’t mind having a whole tray to myself :)

  18. You’ve captured summer right here on crostini, and with cheese to boot! I want some of these so badly….they just look mouthwatering. Wonderful idea!

  19. Love all the veggies here–this looks great!

  20. The ratatouille looks so colorful and inviting. Really craving to pick one up and enjoy it.

  21. So beautiful, Georgia! I using my leftover ratatouille for crostini! I think next time I need to use the whole batch for it!

  22. Yum, this looks great! I love ratatouille too – perfect for using up all those summer veggies in the fridge. However, unlike you, I looove summertime! I don’t know how people like winter and not summer (NOT a winter girl- except for soup making). When I was growing up, my parents had a pool and that’s pretty much where I spent my summers. Hoping to get my little girl hooked on her kiddie pool soon :)

  23. This looks so pretty and appetizing! Love the colors!! Great summer food right here :)

  24. I *love* ratatouille, this is crostini perfection!

  25. Love the clicks specially the first one, I almost grabbed one :)

  26. My kind of meal for these now very hot Nashville days. I can hardly look at my stove…I like simple, healthy, no meat dishes like this beautiful Crostini covered in some of the best of this summer’s bounty. Lovely photos.

  27. I just love little crostini! And … Ratatouille is one of those words that I just like to say! These look wonderful :)

  28. this is always a great way to start a party or if you are a carb lover like me – i will take that for dinner :) im a summer girl all the way through.

  29. As a kid, I loved winter but now that I’m all grown, I’ve moved over to loving warm weather and sunshine. I was never a vegetable-loving child either but I’m so glad that I’ve seen the light. I love what you’ve done here. There’s nothing better than some good bread but I think you’ve managed to enhance it with all these wonderful vegetables (not to mention the butter and cheese). I love it! :)

  30. Such a gorgeous summer appetizer! This crostini sounds incredible and I love how pretty and colorful the ratatouille looks. This dish is such a great way to showcase all the wonderful summer veggies :)

  31. Ah! These are so cheesy and tasty looking… Perfect for a gathering!!! They are sure to be a crowd pleaser!

  32. oooh, this looks so yummy. i love how you make so many veggie dishes, i eat meat, but i rarely cook it at home. :-)

  33. What a perfect way to enjoy ratatouille…it’s one of my favorites too and I love how you turned it into such a fun appetizer!

  34. I made something similar this weekend with a variety of organic tomatoes. I love the idea of topping the crostini with ratatouille vegetables. Beautiful photos!

  35. My mouth is watering. I would enjoy this and a glass of wine for dinner any night of the week.

  36. I love this crostini. Love ratatouille! Why not put it on some crusty bread? YUM and it’s absolutely gorgeous Georgia!

  37. I want this in my belly right now!!

  38. This is seriously like a rainbow on a plate! Or, well, on a fabulously cheesy slice of bread. YUM.

  39. Love these Georgia! So bight and vivid and just full of summer goodness!

  40. I looooove this crostini!!! This is so light and yet so hearty with all those vegetables…I could just eat this for dinner.

    Beautiful post, Georgia!

    Toodles,
    Tammy

  41. My college dining hall always had ratatouille that tasted of tomato pasted and canned veggies. YUCK. This, however, looks lovely. Nice and fresh and tasty with whole veggies. Great update to a classic!

  42. This dish is what summer’s all about! I’m inspired to make a trip to the farmers’ market and collect some pretty veggies to whip this up. Absolutely lovely with a nice glass of red :)

  43. What a gorgeous vegetable combination for a crostini :D

    Cheers
    CCU

    P.S Because of my exams, I will not be commenting for around 4 weeks – see you afterwards!

  44. Girl, you make the most creative recipes from the original. I love this crostini so much!!

  45. I just can’t learn to love summer…I don’t mind it, but I miss the cool, brisk weather that fall will bring! Wearing sweaters, drinking cocoa, I can’t wait! :)

    But, I DO love all of the lovely produce – so pretty!

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