Ratatouille

A big lessons about myself lately has been how much I crave, need and enjoy process. I like a list. I like steps. I like projects. I like the ending most of all. Their is something very therapeutic for me in the process. It is also a way in which I like to show my love. 

Here was yesterday's process. Making a huge pot of Ratatouille from scratch. Now when I say from scratch I mean from all locally grown vegetables including homemade tomato sauce. This project literally took all day. Avi was home sick so it became a mama and kid project. Leo was so patient watching me work on a blanket in the kitchen and the girls enjoyed helping for the "flashy" parts.  In the end I had three meals of delicious food that was packed full of nutrients. 

I first boiled a huge pot of tomatoes and cooled them overnight
in the firdge. My helpers worked hard in the morning to
 remove all the seeds and peels with my grandmother's
cone colander  with wood pestle.

I reheated the peels and seeds to get as much pectin out as I could.
I then restrained them in the colander. 

Our tomato sauce (juice).

I was amazed at how well this worked. I did not
see one seed in my sauce.

Let the boiling begin.

I thought the colors were so pretty.

Once the sauce was boiled down I added, cubed zucchini,
asian eggplant, saute onions, garlic and bell peppers. Followed
with a ton of fresh basal and italian seasoning.

It cooked it with the lid on for about 45 minutes.
After everything was soft I took the lid off and reduced again.

Delicious! I was able to feed my family and freeze two future meals!