To be honest, I didn’t expect this dish to turn out quite as fabulous as it did. I found two abandoned courgettes and two forgotten tomatoes rattling around in the vegetable drawer—semi-frozen thanks to my temperamental fridge. Curious and a little annoyed, I decided to experiment. I sliced them up, still frozen, using my trusty Victorinox Tomato/Utility Knife, added some onions and a few other ingredients (which I’ll detail below), and popped everything in the oven while I moved on to hang out laundry. The result? A gorgeous, rustic roast veg medley that stole the show, even when served alongside steak, potato salad, Jollof Rice, and these prawns. When a simple vegetable dish makes you pause in awe, you know you’ve got a winner!
Ingredients:
- 2 courgettes, sliced
- 2 whole tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 2 small red onions, peeled and quartered
- 1 handful (¼ cup) fresh coriander, chopped
- 1 handful (¼ cup) fresh dill, chopped
- 2-3 tsp zaatar spice blend
- Pinch of salt, to taste
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Method:
- Prep the Vegetables: Place all the ingredients onto an oven-safe baking tray lined with greaseproof baking paper. Use your hands to mix everything until the vegetables are evenly coated, and the salt, spices, and oil are well combined.
- Bake: Place the tray in the oven and bake at 190°C for 35 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the edges of the courgettes and onions are slightly browned. Note that cooking times may vary depending on your oven, so you might need to adjust accordingly. You want to achieve a fine balance between retaining succulence, and achieving a good char for flavour.
- Serve: Once cooked, allow the traybake to cool slightly. You can serve it directly from the tray or transfer it to a serving dish for a more polished presentation. We enjoyed this at room temperature, which felt perfect for a summer dish. As the seasons change, this would also make a warm and hearty side for autumn.
Why This Recipe Shines:
I absolutely loved the main character energy of this dish. The convenience of the traybake format, along with its make-ahead potential, makes it a standout. This recipe is a testament to how fresh herbs can elevate simple ingredients into something truly exciting. It also reminds us that little culinary miracles are often just around the corner when you work with what you’ve got.
Are you a courgette fan? What’s your favourite way to enjoy them?
