ratatouille

noun

ra·​ta·​tou·​ille ˌra-ˌta-ˈtwē 

ˌrä-ˌtä-,

-ˈtü-ē

: a seasoned stew made of eggplant, tomatoes, green peppers, squash, and sometimes meat

Examples of ratatouille in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It can also be lightly coated in olive oil and seasonal herbs and grilled until tender, or included in recipes like ratatouille and casseroles. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 17 Sep. 2024

If using ratatouille as a topping, cut the vegetables smaller and reduce the cooking time. —Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 9 Sep. 2024

This stunning side pays aesthetic homage to the classic French dish ratatouille, while the use of potato, zucchini, and tomato earns it the status of an American classic. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 17 July 2023

The child has eaten scallops, ratatouille and pork dumplings — and enjoys trying new things, the father said. —Maureen MacKey, Fox News, 18 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "dish of chopped food, stew" (18th century), noun derivative crossing ratouiller "to agitate (water), stir, shake" and tatouiller "to shake, beat, handle excessively," both expressive forms of touiller "to stir," going back to Old French tooillier "to agitate, stir up, soil" — more at toil entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1877, in the meaning defined above