Slow cook these delicious later summer vegetables together for an easy healthy meal. This French stew recipe of eggplant, summer squash, tomatoes and herbs has about 20 minutes of prep time. The vegetables simmer for about 5 hours making delicious ratatouille for dinner. 

Zucchini

This fruit (yes, zucchini is actually a fruit!) helps with liver hydration and the releasing of liver toxins. It’s great for the gallbladder, since it contains phytochemicals that reduce inflammation and is soothing to the intestinal tract walls.

Eggplant

There are phytochemical compounds in eggplant that improve blood flow to the liver, which makes it a good food for both the liver and the heart.

Tomatoes

Critical micronutrients, phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals from tomatoes are a wonderful support for the liver. Our liver uses the lycopene in tomatoes to shield itself from cell damage. 

Not only is Ratatouille is a great meal that supports the liver, it was the featured dish at the end of the Pixar movie “Ratatouille“. A story about a rat that dreams of becoming a chef. Just like in the movie, you will get rave reviews from this ratatouille recipe.

Crockpot Ratatouille

• Servings: 6
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Ingredients

1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
2 medium zucchini or yellow squash, coarsely chopped
1 medium eggplant, unpeeled, cubed
4 Roma tomatoes, cored and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Several sprigs of fresh thyme
1 tbsp. fresh oregano or 1 tsp. dried
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2 cups tomato sauce or marinara sauce
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Add all ingredients to a 5-6 qt. slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours (or high for 2 1/2 – 3 hours).
About halfway through cooking time, stir all the ingredients.
Remove thyme sprigs.
Serve with additional fresh basil.

Additional Tips:
Serve Ratatouille hot as a main dish or side dish. It also tastes good cold.
Serve over pasta or zucchini noodles.
Ratatouille tastes even better the next day and reheats beautifully.
It also freezes well.