Has your garden (or maybe your neighbor!) gifted you with an overabundance of zucchini? Lucky you! Use them to make a Tomato Zucchini Tian. Its layers of fresh tomatoes and zucchini over an eggplant and onion base are enhanced with herbes de Provence and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
It’s that time of year, folks. Yes, it’s zucchini season.
Isn’t is amazing how one little seed so innocently and hopefully planted in the spring grows into a monster plant covering at least twice as much area as you estimated? And producing more dang zucchini than you and your family can possibly eat?
And you don’t dare leave one unpicked once you notice it. Oh, no. That unpicked zucchini out there? By the time you come back to check on it, it’s the size of a baseball bat. I swear that stuff grows faster than kudzu. And that’s saying something, y’all!
Still, all that zucchini is perfect to have on hand for making zucchini fries, pan-fried zucchini, and zucchini chips. It’s also great for making a beautiful Tomato Zucchini Tian!
If you think the ingredients for this tian (pronounced “tie-ann”) sound like the classic dish of ratatouille, you’d be right. They’re almost identical, it’s just the cooking method that’s different.
Where tian is sliced vegetables beautifully layered in a dish and baked in the oven, ratatouille is vegetables cut into cubes and cooked as a stew.
If you’ve ever seen the movie Ratatouille, guess what? The dish Remy and his friends made? That was actually Tian, not Ratatouille!
Recipe Snapshot
Cuisine: French
Cooking Method: Stovetop & Oven
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6
Primary Ingredient(s): Eggplant, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Parmesan
Skill Level: Easy
Why I Love This Recipe
- Makes the best use of garden fresh vegetables!
- It’s a classic example of French Provencal cooking.
- It produces something really amazing from simple, fresh ingredients.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING …
“Excellent recipe! I used all fresh vegetables from my garden, and I will definitely make this again and again!”
— Paula
Ingredient Notes
- Zucchini – You’ll need two medium-sized zucchini.
- Tomatoes – If you have home-grown, they’re the best! Otherwise, choose tomatoes that are very ripe.
- Eggplant — Look for a medium-sized eggplant that feels heavy for its size with smooth unblemished skin. You could also use Japanese eggplant if you like.
- Olive oil — I recommend using extra virgin olive oil for this recipe.
- Herbes de Provence — This is my preference, but you could substitute mixed Italian seasoning instead.
- Parmesan cheese — Use the best quality Parmesan you can afford.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Tomato Zucchini Tian
Prep the Eggplant
You start by prepping an eggplant. Peel it and cut it into 1-inch cubes. Sprinkle some salt over the cubes and put them in a colander. Leave them to drain for about 30 minutes.
👉 PRO TIP: Don’t skip the salting and draining process! It pulls out the bitter taste of the eggplant along with some of the moisture.
Saute the Onions and Garlic
Next, saute the onions and garlic in olive oil on medium heat until they’re soft and slightly browned. It takes about 10 minutes.
Transfer the sauteed onions and garlic over to a baking dish. Then add a little more oil to the same skillet and brown the eggplant until slightly softened and just barely browned.
👉 PRO TIP: Stir the eggplant constantly while cooking to prevent it from sticking.
Season with salt and pepper and add it to the onions and garlic in the bottom of the baking dish.
At this point, start preheating the oven.
Layer the Tomatoes and Zucchini
Arrange the sliced zucchini and tomatoes over the eggplant-onion mixture. Top everything with a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper, herbes de Provence, and the rest of the olive oil.
👉 PRO TIP: If you don’t have herbes de Provence available, substitute mixed Italian seasoning.
- Made in France since 1850. Made of all natural materials. High-fired Burgundy clay using Emile Henry hr. ceramic (high resistance
- Superior heat retention. Burgundy clay has superior even-heat diffusion and heat retention properties; it keeps food hot on the Table Longer.
- Resistant against temperature change. For use in the oven up to 520 degrees F. Oven, broiler, and microwave Safe: can go directly from freezer or refrigerator, to a hot oven, to Table.
- Durable and scratch resistant. Extremely hard glaze does not scratch and does not craze. Durable for everyday use. The highly resistant glaze is ideal in the kitchen for making delicious meals and desserts.
- Easy to clean. Dishwasher safe or hand wash with soap and water. 10 year . 10 year against manufacturing defects when used in a household environment.
Bake the Tian
Place the baking dish into the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the zucchini is tender and the tomatoes are just barely beginning to brown on the edges.
Remove the dish from oven and let it cool for 5 or 10 minutes before serving. Top with the Parmesan cheese.
Make Ahead and Storage Information
You can make this recipe ahead up to the point of baking it in the oven. Cover it well and keep it in the refrigerator for up to two days. Remove it and let it come up to room temperature before cooking.
Leftovers can be held for up to three days in the refrigerator. Freezing is not recommended.
One of the best uses of leftover tian is to toss it with hot pasta! Sprinkle on some more cheese and serve with bread. It’s delicious!
Make it a Meal
Your tian will be the perfect side dish for roasted chicken, simple grilled fish, or pork chops. It also makes a great main dish for your vegetarian friends. Be sure to add a loaf of French or Italian bread to soak up all the delicious juices.
Variations and Substitutions
- You can substitute other cheeses for the Parmesan. Use a grated Italian blend, mozzarella, or Swiss. If using a softer, grated cheese, cook the tian for 30 minutes then remove it from the oven. Add the cheese over the top and continue cooking for an additional 15-20 minutes.
- Yellow squash is delicious in place of or in addition to the zucchini. Use half and half of each.
- Substitute dried Italian seasoning for the herbes de Provence.
- Many cooks vary the amount of oil used in tian. I’ve given you a more or less middle-of-the-road measurement. A bit less oil will just keep the vegetables moist; extra oil will result in enough liquid for dipping bread.
Questions About Tian
A tian is a traditional earthenware cooking pot used in the Provence region of France. Thus, the recipe is actually named for the vessel it’s cooked in.
I used a 8×11 baking dish, but tian can be cooked in any ovenproof dish that holds a similar amount. Many cooks use a 9-inch ceramic pie dish.
Have a question or thought to share?
If you have a question about the recipe or if you’ve made it and want to share how it turned out, I would truly enjoy hearing from you. Just scroll down to leave a comment or add your star rating.
Thank you for stopping by. It means a lot to have you here.
Recipe
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Tomato Zucchini Tian
Ingredients
- 1 medium eggplant peeled
- Salt
- 2 medium onions chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup olive oil
- Ground black pepper
- 2 medium zucchini sliced on the diagonal
- 6 ripe tomatoes sliced
- 1 tablespoon herbes de Provence (or mixed Italian seasoning)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cut the eggplant into about 1-inch cubes. Sprinkle generously with salt and place in a colander. Let the eggplant drain for 30 minutes then remove it and pat dry.
- Heat a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and cook the onions and garlic until slightly browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a medium baking dish.
- To the same skillet, add another 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil and cook the eggplant, stirring constantly, until tender and slightly browned. About 5 minutes. Season the eggplant with salt and pepper and stir into the onion mixture in the baking dish.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Arrange the sliced zucchini and tomatoes over the eggplant and onion mixture. Sprinkle with the Herbes de Provence, drizzle with remaining oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the zucchini is tender and the tomatoes are beginning to brown around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese if using.
Notes
- You may vary the amount of oil used in tian. A bit less oil will just keep the vegetables moist; extra oil will result in enough liquid for dipping bread.
- For baking the tian, use a small 9×11 baking dish or a 9-inch ceramic pie dish.
- To make ahead, prepare the recipe to the point of baking it in the oven. Cover it well and keep it in the refrigerator for up to two days. Remove it and let it come up to room temperature before cooking.
- Leftovers can be held for up to three days in the refrigerator. Freezing is not recommended.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
— This post was originally published on July 27, 2011. It has been updated with additional information.
I’m Lana Stuart, an award-winning cookbook author, food blogger, and lifelong cook raised deep in Southwest Georgia. I started Lana’s Cooking in 2009 to share the tried-and-true recipes I grew up with. Around here, the food is full of flavor, the traditions run deep, and there’s always room at the table.
This dish is heavenly! Made it today for our 4th of July lunch.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Excellent recipe! The only thing I did was add some yellow squash.
I used all fresh vegetables from my garden and I will definitely make this again and again!
Glad to know you enjoyed the recipe! The yellow squash would be great in this.
Sounds like “Tian” is French for vegetable casserole, it also looks similar to another, now very popular, French dish, Ratatouille!!! Your pictures and recipe both look wonderful.
This is beautiful and so seasonally fresh :)
This looks so healthy! So in season right now too.
oh yeah, this is some fine stuff I know… nothing better than garden fresh and you make the best of the summer taste… now see if you can’t whip up something to go with kudzu, you’d make a fortune…
Wow, just the photo alone is awesome. I’d love to try that.
Thank you, Dan!
I’ve never added eggplant in my dish before! Love that! I’m going to try that the next time I make this dish :)
Mary xo
This is such a pretty way to present all of that summer produce that is starting to explode in my garden. Lovely dish, Lana!
With the zucchini starting to come in, this looks like a dish to try. Gorgeous photos!
Thanks, Anne-Marie!
Don’t laugh at me….but I have never ever used herbs de provence…I just really didn’t know how to use it!! Now I know…I will have to try this, it looks like a delicious summer meal!
I wouldn’t ever laugh at you, Shelby! Actually, I think there are slightly different blends of Herbes de Provence depending on the brand. I order it from My Spice Sage and their blend contains savory, thyme, rosemary, lavender and fennel. It’s really great on fish or grilled chicken and wonderful with eggplant. I also use it in my Savory French Toast recipe.
main dish here at Smith Bites – LOVE!
And it’s great with a nice cold, crisp glass of wine :-)
Such a beautiful summer dish.
Lisa~~
omg I love this one!
I can’t wait to make this!
I think you’ll really enjoy it, Maria.