Crouton with Vegetables and Cheese

The crouton with vegetables and cheese is a simple, versatile, and very tasty dish. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 4 thick slices of homemade bread or other rustic types
• 2 zucchinis
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 small eggplant
• 200 g of sliced or grated cheese (for example, mozzarella, fontina, or a vegan cheese, if you have dietary restrictions)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil to taste
• Garlic (optional)
• Aromatic herbs such as oregano or thyme (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by washing and cutting the zucchinis, bell pepper, and eggplant into slices or cubes.
2. Heat a stream of olive oil in a frying pan and, if you prefer, add a peeled garlic clove to flavor the oil. When it’s hot, remove the garlic and add the vegetables.
3. Cook the vegetables over medium heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until they become tender. Season with salt, pepper, and, if you wish, add some aromatic herbs.
4. Meanwhile, toast the bread slices in the oven or on a grill until they are crispy but not burnt.
5. Once the vegetables are cooked, arrange them over the slices of bread and cover each with plenty of cheese.
6. Bake under the oven grill for a few minutes, until the cheese has melted and is slightly golden on top.
7. Serve the croutons hot, perhaps with a dusting of fresh pepper or a drizzle of raw extra virgin olive oil.

Trivia

The crouton is a dish born from the need to recover stale bread, turning it into something tasty and new. Normally, it is a recipe that lends itself to thousands of variants, and almost every Italian region has its favorite version. Remember that you can vary the vegetables according to seasonality and your preferences, and the cheese can also be chosen based on your personal taste or any dietary needs.