Makes 4 luncheon servings.
Makes 6 side dish servings.
This versatile dish is good in any season. The combination of roasted vegetables and farro – a grain with a nutty, chewy flavor and packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants - makes this dish colorful and nutritious. It’s great for lunch served with grated mozzarella or as a side dish to meat, poultry, or fish. It would also make a nice addition to a buffet.
INGREDIENTS:
¾ cup pearled farro
¾ cup vegetable stock
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 medium eggplant
3 garlic cloves
1 Vidalia onion
1 small zucchini
1 small yellow squash
1 bell pepper
Leaves from 10 thyme sprigs
1/3 cup extra -virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, approximately
PREPARATION:
Place the farro, vegetable stock and salt in a small saucepan with a cover. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer covered for 20 minutes or until the farro is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Preheat oven to 450F.
Peel the eggplant, discard the end and cut into 1-inch cubes.
Peel the garlic and cut into small pieces.
Peel the onion and cut into small pieces. Rinse the zucchini and squash. Pat dry, and trim the ends and cut into 1-inch cubes.
Rinse the bell pepper, pat dry, cut in half lengthwise, core and seed. Cut into 1-inch cubes.
Place all ingredients into a bowl. Combine with olive oil, thyme and season with salt and pepper.
Transfer all the vegetables into a 12x8 Pyrex dish or an attractive dish that can go from oven to table, preferably in one layer.
Roast for about 20 minutes, turning the vegetables once. They should be crisp to the bite.
As soon as the vegetables come out of the oven, sprinkle with balsamic vinegar. Combine with the farro and season to taste.
