Provençal Vegetable Tian (Tian Provençal)
This Vegetable Tian layers zucchini, tomatoes, and eggplant, all baked with olive oil and Herbes de Provence to create a tender, caramelized dish bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 small eggplant
- 1 medium zucchini
- 3–5 medium tomatoes
- 1 medium onion, finely sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- 4 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for drizzling)
- 1/2 tbsp Herbes de Provence
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional: A handful of cured black olives and fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Slice the eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes into thin, even rounds (about ¼ inch thick). Set aside.
- Rub the inside of your baking dish with one garlic clove for a subtle garlic flavor. Roughly chop the remaining garlic clove for later use.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sliced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–7 minutes, until soft and translucent. Avoid browning. Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Remove from heat and spread the onion-garlic mixture evenly across the bottom of your baking dish.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Arrange the sliced vegetables in the baking dish over the onion-garlic mixture, alternating between eggplant, zucchini, and tomato slices to create a colorful pattern. No need to make it perfect—just have fun with it!
- Drizzle the remaining olive oil (2 tbsp) over the vegetables. Sprinkle with Herbes de Provence, salt, and black pepper.
- Place the dish in the oven and bake for at least 1 hour or until the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized on top. See notes about baking time above.
- Once baked, remove the tian from the oven and drizzle with more olive oil for added flavor. For a final touch, top with cured black olives and fresh basil leaves for added flavor and color. Alternatively, you can sprinkle with parmesan, pecorino, or even goat cheese for a flavorful finish.
- Let the tian rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
This dish pairs beautifully with a crunchy baguette or as a side. I often pair my tian with a grilled chicken breast or white fish, accompanied by whole grains such as farro, quinoa, or couscous for a more complete meal.