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Cacciatore with zucchini, yellow peppers, carrot, and tomatoes
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 

My GO-TO choice for dinner and especially quick and easy if you have some basic ingredients already in the house. 

Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, stew
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: cacciatore, garden vegetables, tomato, vegetarian
Author: maura
Ingredients
  • 1-2 TBSP olive oil, grapeseed oil, canola, vegetable any oil that is fairly neutral in flavor
  • 4-5 chicken sausage, sliced into bite-sized pieces optional, may substitute chicken breast, pork sausage, shrimp, ground turkey, etc.
  • 1 red onion, sliced thin
  • 2-3 tsp garlic, minced more or less to taste
  • 1/4 cup white cooking wine, optional
  • 1-2 carrots, peeled and sliced thin on diagonal
  • 1 zucchini, small diced
  • 8-12 ounces mushrooms, including stems washed and small diced
  • 1 yellow pepper, sliced thin or small diced
  • 2 cups kale, chopped
  • 2 14.5 ounce cans diced tomatoes
  • ~1 tsp each basil, oregano, salt, pepper, thyme
  • 2 bay leaves, optional
  • 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes, optional for added kick
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • parmesean cheese, grated, for serving
Instructions

  1. Add chicken sausage with ~ 1 tsp of the oil and cook on low/medium heat until browned (I used pre-cooked so it didn't take too long to brown, but if using raw meat, you will need to ensure that the meat is cooked through)

  2. Remove from saute pan and set aside. 

  3. Add remaining oil to large saute pan to heat up on medium heat.

  4. Add onions and saute until soft and translucent, ~8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent excessive carmelization.  Add garlic and stir for 30 sec.  Add white wine, if using, to deglaze the pan.  

  5. Add carrots and mushrooms and let soften for another 5-8 min. 

  6. Add peppers, zucchini, kale, diced tomatoes, herbs and spices, salt and pepper, reserved chicken sausage and turn heat up to high.  Stirring often, bring to a boil and then reduce heat and partially covered to simmer for ~ 15 min.

  7. Remove cover and simmer another 5-10 min to reduce (thicken sauce). 

  8. Serve in small bowls and top with parmesean cheese. 

Recipe Notes
  • Can be served over rice, pasta, or other grain. 
  • Serve with crusty bread in lieu of grain. 
  • Omit cheese, meat or fish for a delicious vegetarian / vegan option.  
  • Use any variety and combination of vegetables that you have in the refrigerator to make this truly a quick GO-TO option in your house.
  • Substitute herbs according to your palate, your garden, your local farmer's market options or what you can find in your favorite local grocery store.
  • Kale can be replaced with parsley, swiss chard, spinach, escarole or it can be omitted all together.