#1. Look for vegetables uniform in size.
I prefer to select two small eggplants, rather than one regular-sized eggplant, for this recipe. Visually, the circumference of each eggplant should be similar to that of a zucchini or yellow squash—and the squashes should be similar in size to one another, too. Choosing vegetables similar in size helps ensure that they cook evenly when you bake your ratatouille.
#2. On that note, consider using Chinese or Japanese eggplants, and get the small ones!
I love Chinese or Japanese eggplants for this recipe since they are closer in size to zucchini and yellow squash. You can usually find these in large grocery stores, specialty stores, or local Asian markets.
#3. Look for Kumato or vine-ripe tomatoes—they’re easier to slice.
The same goes for your tomato selection. Look for ones that will give you about the same size round as the zucchini and yellow squash. Kumato tomatoes are great for this. The color is a deep brown red and they are firm, making them easier to slice. Another good choice are vine-ripe tomatoes that tend to be fairly uniform in size. One note on slicing the tomatoes: Though you can use the mandoline slicer if the tomatoes are very firm, you might want to use a sharp chef's knife for the tomatoes.
#4. Use a mandoline slicer.
A mandoline slicer is a very useful kitchen tool with a horizontal blade that slices veggies to any thickness you want. Think of it as a wonderful alternative to cutting loads of veggies fast while still maintaining a uniform size. I highly recommend using a mandoline slicer to get those perfect slices that you want for a recipe like ratatouille. You can check out my Italian Chopped Salad Recipe with Homemade Vinaigrette or Au Gratin Potato Casserole recipe for tips on how to use a mandoline for a breezy prep.
Once your veggies are sliced, keep them in their respective areas so you can pick them up as you need them. I suggest allowing about 20 mins for assembly. Though this dish takes a bit longer to prepare, I promise the result is well worth it.
#5. Make it beautiful: Presentation matters!
The reason for putting in this effort during the prep stage of this dish is because presentation matters! Ratatouille is a visually iconic dish. The colors of all the neatly arranged veggies are lovely. Bring out your favorite cast iron pan and have fun layering these veggies around.
I encourage you to take the time to create the beautiful design I created in my cast iron skillet. And like I said before, the secret to that stunning visual effect is evenly slicing the vegetables nice and thin. It’s both a beautiful and delicious way to get your family to eat more vegetables.
