Don Diego's Bobbia

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 500 g potatoes, diced
• 500 g bell pepper(s), red and green, diced
• 500 g onion(s), quartered
• 500 g tomatoes, cut into pieces
• 150 ml olive oil
• 1 bunch parsley, chopped
• salt and pepper
• 1 baguette(s) or Italian country bread

Instructions

Working time approx. 20 minutes; Rest time approx. 15 minutes; Cooking/baking time approx. 45 minutes; Total time approx. 1 hour 20 minutes

lukewarm vegetable salad from Syracuse (Sicily)

Peel the potatoes and cut into fairly small pieces. Clean the bell peppers and also cut into pieces. Peel the onions and quarter or eighth them. Rinse everything in water, mix until dripping wet, season with salt and pepper, and transfer to a baking dish. Quarter the tomatoes and arrange them over the vegetables. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, and finally, add the olive oil to the vegetables. Cover the baking dish with a lid or aluminum foil and place in a preheated oven (220°C) for 45 minutes. Carefully turn the vegetables once or twice during cooking. While the bobbia slowly cools to room temperature, you can decide what to serve this dish with. Here are a few suggestions: Either on its own with a fresh baguette or Italian country bread, or with a slice of feta cheese or a small selection of cheeses “al gusto.” It can also be enjoyed as a lighter side dish to grilled food (instead of the obligatory potato or pasta salad). Or with garlicky Mediterranean meatballs like keftedes or cevapcici. The vegetables also taste great with Sicilian minute steaks marinated overnight in olive oil, oregano, and garlic. …but never forget the bread! This southern Italian dish relies on a selection of equal parts of vegetables, simmered slowly and without excessive spices, to deliver a satisfying flavor all on its own.