1Heat the olive oil in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and ¾ teaspoon of the salt. Cook, stirring often, until softened, about 10 mins.
2Heat the olive oil in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and ¾ teaspoon of the salt. Cook, stirring often, until softened, about 10 mins.
3Heat the olive oil in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and ¾ teaspoon of the salt. Cook, stirring often, until softened, about 10 mins.
4Add the bell pepper and cook until softened, about 7 mins. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and season with the herbes de Provence and 2 tsp of the thyme. Cook at a low simmer until the sauce has slightly thickened, 10 to 15 mins. Add the basil and stir to combine. Remove from the heat.
5Add the bell pepper and cook until softened, about 7 mins. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and season with the herbes de Provence and 2 tsp of the thyme. Cook at a low simmer until the sauce has slightly thickened, 10 to 15 mins. Add the basil and stir to combine. Remove from the heat.
6Add the bell pepper and cook until softened, about 7 mins. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and season with the herbes de Provence and 2 tsp of the thyme. Cook at a low simmer until the sauce has slightly thickened, 10 to 15 mins. Add the basil and stir to combine. Remove from the heat.
7Starting from the outer edge of the skillet and working your way to the middle, arrange the sliced veggies over the tomato sauce, snugly upright but slightly angled, and alternating the colours (zucchini, summer squash, eggplant, and tomato). Sprinkle with the remaining 1 teaspoon thyme, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and the black pepper.
8Starting from the outer edge of the skillet and working your way to the middle, arrange the sliced veggies over the tomato sauce, snugly upright but slightly angled, and alternating the colours (zucchini, summer squash, eggplant, and tomato). Sprinkle with the remaining 1 teaspoon thyme, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and the black pepper.
9Starting from the outer edge of the skillet and working your way to the middle, arrange the sliced veggies over the tomato sauce, snugly upright but slightly angled, and alternating the colours (zucchini, summer squash, eggplant, and tomato). Sprinkle with the remaining 1 teaspoon thyme, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and the black pepper.
10Cover the skillet with foil or an oven-safe lid and bake at 375F/190C for 40 mins. Remove the foil and continue cooking until the veg is very soft and the ratatouille is bubbling, another 20 to 30 mins. Garnish with basil leaves just before serving, if desired.
11Cover the skillet with foil or an oven-safe lid and bake at 375F/190C for 40 mins. Remove the foil and continue cooking until the veg is very soft and the ratatouille is bubbling, another 20 to 30 mins. Garnish with basil leaves just before serving, if desired.
12Cover the skillet with foil or an oven-safe lid and bake at 375F/190C for 40 mins. Remove the foil and continue cooking until the veg is very soft and the ratatouille is bubbling, another 20 to 30 mins. Garnish with basil leaves just before serving, if desired.