Ratatouille

The Story Behind Ratatouille

### The Story

Ratatouille is a vegetable stew born in the Provence countryside of southeastern France. The dish developed in the 18th century as a practical way for farmers to use their surplus summer harvest of tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, and peppers. The name derives from the Occitan word ratatolha and the French verb touiller, meaning "to stir." Its modern form depended on vegetables introduced from the Americas -- tomatoes, peppers, and squash -- which did not gain wide acceptance in French cooking until the 18th and 19th centuries. The first known recipe appears in the 19th century, though the stew was likely prepared long before being written down.

### On the Calendar

Ratatouille is quintessentially a late summer dish, made when Provencal gardens overflow with ripe vegetables from July through September.

### Then & Now

Originally a humble farmhouse stew, ratatouille became associated with the cuisine of Nice by the early 20th century. International recognition grew through mid-century cookbooks and was amplified by Pixar's 2007 animated film. Chef Michel Guerard and others elevated it with layered, precision-cut presentations.

### Legacy

Ratatouille embodies Provencal cooking philosophy -- seasonal vegetables, olive oil, simplicity -- and has become one of France's most recognized dishes worldwide.