Veggie Güveç: Turkish Eggplant Stew - Easy Cooking! ~ Diane's Vintage Zest!

Veggie Güveç: Turkish Eggplant Stew - Easy Cooking!

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For today's recipe, I am sharing a delicious dish that many of you may not have heard of before.  During the summer months, I want to spend as much time as I can outside, so any summer recipes that I cook have to be super easy.  Also, to keep it light, I tend to cook all-veggie dishes.  One of my favorite versions actually uses lamb, but I keep it simple for the summer months.  So, what is this Veggie Güveç?  It is a Turkish stew prepared with a mix of different vegetables, primarily with eggplant and zucchini, cooked in a traditional clay dish.  I adapted the recipe for regular stovetop cooking, so it could not be easier.  Although it may seem exotic, it is very much like a French ratatouille, which you may have eaten before.  Yum!


Veggie Güveç: Turkish Eggplant Stew #DinnerDone #CollectiveBias


What makes this dish so simple is that it requires very few ingredients, no unusual herbs or spices, and the prep time is super quick!  Although it tastes like a slow-cooked stew that has been simmering on the stove for hours, it takes just about an hour from start to finish.  Another plus is that it is a one-pot meal, so you will not spend your entire day cleaning up afterwards.  Yes!

By the way, my inspiration for this dish came from a restaurant that I loved when I lived in Nashville.  It has been a few years since I have been back in California, and I totally miss this place.  Luckily, we have a Turkish friend who explained to me the process of making this dish, and I streamlined it for those of us who do not have the traditional cookware.  Yes!


Veggie Güveç: Turkish Eggplant Stew #DinnerDone #CollectiveBias



Before we get to the recipe, I definitely have to mention this.  As you know, I love recipes with tomatoes.  Fresh tomatoes are great in salads, but one of the ultimate time-savers for me with cooking is to use canned tomatoes.  Honestly, any time a recipe calls for tomatoes, I am grabbing a can because they have a taste better, better texture, and save me so much time!  If you poke around on my website, you'll see that my favorite lasagna and chili both use a few canned tomato products.

For this recipe, I headed to Walmart and grabbed a few things from the Tomato Sauce aisle.  One can each of of tomato paste, petite diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce.  In particular, Hunt's uses a unique flashsteam peeling method, which you can read about more here.

A few more ingredients and you have yourself the whole ingredient list!


Veggie Güveç: Turkish Eggplant Stew #DinnerDone #CollectiveBias
#DinnerDone #CollectiveBias


Veggie Güveç: Turkish Eggplant Stew
A Vintage Zest original



Veggie Güveç: Turkish Eggplant Stew #DinnerDone #CollectiveBias


Ingredients




  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 cups onion, diced (1 medium)
  • 4 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 10 cups eggplant, diced (I used 1 1/2 large eggplants)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz.) Hunt's petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (8 oz.) Hunt's tomato sauce
  • 4 Tbsp. Hunt's tomato paste, regular or no salt added
  • 4 cups zucchini, diced (2 medium)
  • 2 small red potatoes, diced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1/4 cup water or vegetable stock
  • Optional: 1/3 cup parsley, chopped


Veggie Güveç: Turkish Eggplant Stew #DinnerDone #CollectiveBias


Directions

1.  In a medium saucepot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

2.  Add the onions, garlic, and eggplant, stirring frequently until the eggplant has softened, about 15 minutes.


Veggie Güveç: Turkish Eggplant Stew #DinnerDone #CollectiveBias


3.  Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and the tomato paste and stir to incorporate.


Veggie Güveç: Turkish Eggplant Stew #DinnerDone #CollectiveBias

Veggie Güveç: Turkish Eggplant Stew #DinnerDone #CollectiveBias


4.  Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.


Veggie Güveç: Turkish Eggplant Stew #DinnerDone #CollectiveBias


5.  Add the zucchini, potatoes, salt and pepper.


Veggie Güveç: Turkish Eggplant Stew #DinnerDone #CollectiveBias


6.  Turn the heat to low and cover tightly with a lid.  Cook for 40 to 45 minutes until the rest of the vegetables have softened.  You can check once or twice, and if it looks dry, you can add up to 1/4 cup of water or vegetable stock.


Veggie Güveç: Turkish Eggplant Stew #DinnerDone #CollectiveBias


7.  To serve, sprinkle with chopped parsley and accompany with rice pilaf or bread, if you like.


Personally, I served my güveç in an earthenware dish so it looked a bit more traditional.  The crack in the side is optional.  ;)


Veggie Güveç: Turkish Eggplant Stew #DinnerDone #CollectiveBias


I love this dish!  It is colorful, bright, and delicious, but super easy and quick.  Not only that, but it is comforting and light and the same time.  Nice!

I hope you give this dish a try and let me know what you think!


Have you ever eaten Turkish food before?



Veggie Güveç: Turkish Eggplant Stew #DinnerDone #CollectiveBias




22 comments:

  1. This looks delice. My kid doesn't like egg plant but I think he would like this as he loves tomatoes.

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  2. This sounds really good, inexpensive, and easy to make. It's the perfect meal.

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  3. This really is a perfect summer recipe. There will be a time soon when eggplant and tomatoes will be everywhere, and I will want to make this wonderful looking recipe. Pinning it for later

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  4. I love eggplant and I'm always looking for new and different ways to prepare it. This looks delish! Thanks for sharing :)

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  5. This looks really yummy! We love eggplant and zucchini. pinned to try. I just posted Brailian Kibbe--it is common in Turkey as well (the recipe is from my sister-in-law who has Turkish ancestry). So that is my closest experience of Turkish cuisine:) found at cast party wed. Have a wonderful week!

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  6. This looks so good! I love vegetables stews, and this looks like a good way to get my husband to eat eggplant.

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  7. Looks so good and healthy! I wonder if it would be good served room temp or cool?? It's already feeling like summer here.

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  8. This sounds really delicious!


    Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!

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  9. We haven't had any really nice eggplant yet, but I pinned this recipe, I can't wait to make it. So glad you brought it to foodie friday.

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  10. I'm sure he would! My guy is not a huge eggplant lover, but the stew itself is amazing. :)

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  11. Yeah! Then it will be super economical to make as well. Enjoy!

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  12. Great! I hope you enjoy it. :)

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  13. They you will definitely like this! I love Turkish food, so you definitely have to get your sister-in-law to make some for you. Yum!

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  14. For sure! When it is all cooked together, it just tastes good, not like eggplant or another vegetable specifically. I hope both of you enjoy it!

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  15. I actually have eaten it both ways. Hot as a stew, and cold almost like a bruschetta on toasted bread. I love both! :)

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  16. Great! I hope you start getting eggplant soon so you can make this. :) I have been really lucky here to find some awesome ones here!

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  17. This looks amazing, Diane! Thank you bunches for linking up and partying with us!

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  18. Just wanted you to know that your recipe is being featured on Foodie Friday today.

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  19. I saw! Thanks so much, and this is definitely a lovely recipe, so I am glad that more of your readers will get a chance to see it! :)

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  20. Thank you! It absolutely looks AND tastes amazing, especially for being such a simple dish. Thanks!

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  21. Why not cook fresh tomatoes ? Why use canned?

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I love to hear your comments! And putting in your two cents is always free. :)

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