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Find out how to prepare this dish which promises a true taste of Spain.La Mancha is famous for two things – one fictional and one deliciously real.
Don Quixote is, of course The Man of La Mancha, and fictional.
Deliciously real is La Mancha’s hearty soups, stews and casseroles - pisto is that rarity in Spanish cuisine, a vegetarian meal. It’s the Spanish equivalent of French ratatouille and can be eaten as a main course in its own right, or served with chicken, sausages, fish, pasta, eggs – or virtually anything else you can think of. It’s also a dish which can be eaten hot or cold.
Pisto is a versatile addition to your Mediterranean recipe collection.
To serve 4, you need:
•50 ml olive oil
•1 large onion, chopped
•1 red or green pepper, chopped
•2 cloves of garlic, chopped finely
•1 large aubergine, chopped into chunks
•1 can of whole tomatoes
•1 large courgette, sliced
•fresh or freeze dried parsley – as much or as little as you like.
•salt and ground black pepper to season
Prepare the vegetables. Make them as fine or as chunky as you like, as long as they are in uniform pieces. Heat oil in a large pan and add onions, peppers and garlic. Fry until soft. Then add aubergine and fry for a couple of minutes.
Finally, add courgettes, tomatoes and seasoning, cover and cook for about 15 minutes. Take care not to overcook, as you want the vegetables to retain their texture and colour. Just serve with fresh crusty bread for a tasty treat.
I have also added smoked bacon pieces, or lardons, to ring the changes. Halve the amount of oil, and fry the lardons for a couple of minutes before adding the onions, peppers and garlic. It’s a delicious taste variation.
For a slightly different accompaniment, toast slices of bread, then sprinkle with grated cheese and brown under the grill. The crispness of the toast contrasts nicely with the pisto, while the cheese adds another flavour and makes a filling meal for any vegetarian guests.
As you can see, pisto is a versatile dish which is quick and easy to prepare. It’s also a great way of working towards your 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
See what you can think of to serve with your pisto. Buen Apetito!
text: Sandra Piddock / Expatica 2008
photo credits: jlastras and BocaDorada
The writer, Sandra Piddock, is originally from the UK. She moved from Cornwall to Costa Blanca five months ago, but says it feels like home already. She maintains a website in her spare time.
Expatica's Getting Started section will provide practical information on how you can open a bank account, exchange your driving licence, improve your Spanish, and more.
Here's a guide to an extensive list of groups and clubs in Madrid for expats, from sports groups to social and family gatherings.
A brief introduction to our Tax section for Spain, from help with inheritance tax to accounting advice.
Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in Spain, from what to ask the experts to opening a Spanish bank account.
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