Grilled Ratatouille Panini + Pesto Giveaway!

It’s not usually my style to wrap up my food in little bows, but today I’m making an exception for a few practical reasons. Not only do these Grilled Ratatouille Panini taste even better once the flavors of the grilled summer vegetables, fresh mozzarella and pesto have had the chance to mix and mingle a bit, but they’re also a little on the tall side and can benefit from some harnessing. All right, they do look a little cuter with the bows too (just this once).

Read on for my Grilled Ratatouille Panini recipe and for a fantastic PESTO GIVEAWAY (seven flavors!) from Bear Pond Farm.

Beyond the fancy wrapping, you might have also noticed that there are grill marks on the inside of these sandwiches. That’s because I put the baguettes on the grill along with the eggplant, zucchini and onions to could get a toasty crunch on the bread without heating up the entire sandwich. The vegetables in a traditional ratatouille are sautéed and baked as a casserole, but for these sandwiches I opted to grill them. Since the panini aren’t served hot, they’d be great to bring for lunch at work or even a picnic.

By the way, the basil pesto I used came from Bear Pond Farm in Glastonbury, Connecticut. The company sent me all seven of their nut-free pesto flavors to try (I happened to already have the basil one in my fridge, from my last trip to Whole Foods). We’ve been having a pesto bonanza for the past week, spreading pesto on sandwiches, wraps, salmon (keep an eye out for the salmon recipe later this week – packet grilling on the panini maker!) and even just dipping it with tortilla chips (specifically, the jalapeño artichoke one).

* * *

Bear Pond Farm pestosPesto Giveaway!  [THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED]

The folks at Bear Pond Farm were kind enough to offer one lucky Panini Happy reader their own set of seven pesto flavors:

  • Premium basil
  • Pepperoni
  • Tomato-basil
  • Fresh lemony
  • Spicy vegan
  • Vibrant cilantro
  • Jalapeño artichoke

Here are four ways to enter, you can do any or all of them (please leave separate comments for each entry):

  • Leave a comment on this post telling us your favorite way to cook with pesto (e.g., toss in pasta, as a base for pizza, in scrambled eggs, etc.).
  • “Like” Panini Happy on Facebook
  • Subscribe to free updates from Panini Happy via e-mail or RSS
  • Follow me @paninikathy on Twitter

The giveaway will close on Monday, July 18, 2011 at noon PDT. [THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED] I will use random.org to select one winner to receive the Bear Pond Farm pestos and announce the winner in this post. Due to shipping costs, the prize can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.

**UPDATED 7/18/11: Congratulations to our winner, entry #33 – Jacqui!

Thanks to Bear Pond Farm for providing the pestos for this giveaway.

Grilled Ratatouille Panini

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Grilled Ratatouille Panini

Adapted from Giada De Laurentiis’ Grilled Vegetable Panini recipe on FoodNetwork.com

Prep time: 10 min | Cook time: 40 min | Total time: 50 min

Yield: 4 panini

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 zucchini, sliced crosswise into 1/2″ thick slices
  • 1 medium eggplant, sliced crosswise into 1/2″ thick slices
  • 1/2 small red onion, sliced crosswise into 1/2″ thick slices
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 French baguette, divided into 4 pieces (or 4 demi-baguettes)
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto (either store-bought or homemade)
  • 8 ounces fresh water-packed mozzarella cheese, drained, sliced
  • 2 tomatoes, sliced
  • 1/2 cup roasted red peppers

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat the panini grill to medium-high heat.
  2. Drizzle olive oil over the vegetables and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Working in batches, place the vegetables on the grill, seasoned side down. Drizzle more olive oil on top and sprinkle more salt and pepper. Close the lid, with the grates making contact with the vegetables without actually pressing them. Grill the vegetables for 4-6 minutes until they’re tender, with grill marks.
  3. Split the baguettes in half lengthwise and grill them for about 5 minutes until they’re toasted, with grill marks.
  4. For each sandwich: Spread each grilled baguette half with pesto. On the bottom half, add eggplant, zucchini, onion, tomato, mozzarella and roasted red peppers. Close the sandwich with the top baguette half.
  5. You can either serve the panini immediately or, to allow the flavors to meld together more, wrap them up and refrigerate for a few hours.

[/print_this]

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KathyPanini Happy, online since 2008, is more than just a sandwich blog. Here, you'll find hundreds of my original panini recipes, my guide to choosing a panini press and a whole lot of other creative uses for the panini press.
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105 Comments

  1. sara wrote:

    My favorite way to cook with pesto is on a grilled cheese sandwich (especially using goat cheese for the cheese part!)

    Posted 7.12.11 Reply
  2. tami wrote:

    pesto is a vegetarians saving grace, i truly believe. such an easy way to add flavor to sandwiches, quick pastas, whisk it into a dressing, whiz it together with some cream cheese or goat cheese for a spread, into some hummus or white bean dips. i use it so often and i love the variety of flavors here!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  3. tami wrote:

    also..i’m following you now on Twitter. how have i not been following you on twitter all this time!!?! 🙂

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  4. Jen wrote:

    I LOVE pesto!!! It’s my altime favorite sauce. I would have to say I would either use it on sandwiches, or in pasta. Yummy!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  5. Fantastic! This looks like lunch today.

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  6. I love using pesto on sandwiches and yours look amazing!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  7. I follow you on twitter:-)

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  8. Marla wrote:

    Wow, such a great panini and I adore pesto. Love it on top of salmon.

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  9. Marla wrote:

    I am a FB fan

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  10. Marla wrote:

    I follow your tweets & have forever 🙂

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  11. M Lebaron wrote:

    I love pesto is sandwiches! So much flavor punch for a small space!!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  12. I’m a huge fan of pesto on everything, but my favorite way to eat it might be on grilled cheese sandwiches with mozzarella. Yum!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  13. jordan wrote:

    i love pesto on pizza!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  14. Stephanie S wrote:

    I mostly use pesto on my sandwiches. Especially on a grilled chicken panini with chipolte mayo and spinach leaves.

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  15. Kathy- these are gorgeous! Like being in the south of France- but on a sandwich 🙂

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  16. Lisa H wrote:

    I love pesto on pasta and pizza. I’m also a facebook fan and get emails.

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  17. Rae wrote:

    My daughter often makes dishes for me and is a creative and innovative cook. She often will put pesto in different salads or sandwiches for that extra ping!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  18. Laura wrote:

    I love to add pesto to pasta for my husband!!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  19. Cindy B. wrote:

    My favorite way to cook with pesto is putting it in pizzas! YUM!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  20. Cindy B. wrote:

    I like Panini Happy on Facebook.

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  21. Angela wrote:

    I love pesto on my pizza, especially on a whole wheat crust. Yum!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  22. Angela wrote:

    I get your emails!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  23. Cindy B. wrote:

    I subscribe to Panini Happy via e-mail.

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  24. Angela wrote:

    And follow you on twitter!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  25. Cindy B. wrote:

    I follow @paninikathy on Twitter.

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  26. Angela wrote:

    I’m also a FB fan!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  27. My favorite way to use pesto is on puff pastry with ham and swiss cheese. Roll it up, slice it and bake. YUM!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  28. kayduh wrote:

    I like using pesto on pasta. So easy and yummy!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  29. Erin R. wrote:

    I love pesto all by itself on plain pasta. Simple and uncluttered. This sandwich looks smashing, by the way, and I’m up to my eyeballs in summer veg at the moment. I’ll definitely be giving it a try. Thanks!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  30. Babs wrote:

    I am really new to including pesto in my recipes, but really love it in chicken and pasta.

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  31. CaitSchaffer wrote:

    I use pesto to make a very quick Italian “hummus” – I drain and rinse a can of cannellini or other white beans, then add 1 TBSP. pesto, 2-3 cloves of minced fresh garlic (depending on how garlick-y the pesto is), a couple glugs of good extra virgin olive oil and a little salt (again, to taste). I puree this all together, then top with thin strips of roasted red peppers and serve with crackers, toasted baguette, or crudites.

    This recipe works not only with basil pesto but also with tomato, garlic scape, cilantro and other herb pestos. I have also successfully used it in wraps/paninis/sandwiches and as tie-together for the center of an antipasto platter (an antipesto platter?). Thanks for posting!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  32. Colleen wrote:

    Seriously they have vegan, nut-free pesto? I’ll have to look into that! We don’t really eat pesto cuz of the nuts and cheese, but I sure do like it.

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
    • Kathy wrote:

      They’ve got it at Whole Foods!

      Posted 7.13.11 Reply
      • kim j. wrote:

        Oh Gooooooood!!! I am on the lookout then! Thank you 🙂

        Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  33. Jacqui wrote:

    I love pesto on everything… it is amazing! But my favorite has to be either pizza or pasta!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  34. Jacqui wrote:

    I already like Panini Happy on FB!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  35. Jacqui wrote:

    I am also already subscribed to the Panini Happy RSS feed

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  36. Jacqui wrote:

    And I already follow you on Twitter!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  37. i have never had pesto but im sure id love it and hope to win so i can try it out!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  38. i like u on fb

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  39. i subscribe via email

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  40. following u on twitter- @GiadasMama

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  41. kim j. wrote:

    OMG>>>>I actually NEED these Bear Pond Pestos!!!! I live in Western Mass and have missed out on this company up until now. I will, BELIEVE ME, try them on anything 😀

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  42. Holly H. wrote:

    Sundried Tomato Pesto on a panini! My absolute favorite!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  43. Holly H. wrote:

    I subscribe by email 🙂

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  44. Holly H. wrote:

    I like you on FB!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  45. Wow! Those panini sandwiches look fabulous! Grilled veggies are the best this time of year.

    My favorite way to use pesto is to give sandwiches a pop of flavor!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  46. Swarna wrote:

    wow wonderful sandwich and so many flavors of pesto…yum

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  47. Cheryl wrote:

    I love pesto on a grilled cheese sandwich sooo good!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  48. Cheryl wrote:

    Like you on facebook

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  49. Laura O wrote:

    those all look delicious – I liked you on Facebook since I already receive your emails – by the way, your garlic chicken panini is my absolute favorite and we make it weekly! Love it!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
    • Kathy wrote:

      Love that you love the garlic chicken, Laura!

      Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  50. Cheryl wrote:

    follow you on twitter @cherylcasperson

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  51. Lija wrote:

    EAT IT WITH A SPOON!!! or on anything. mmm, pesto….

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  52. katie wrote:

    I love pesto with chicken and pasta.. in a casserole with cheese.. yummy!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  53. I love grilled veggie sandwhiches! I’d say my favorite way to eat pesto is in pasta.

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  54. That sandwich looks delicious! And what a great giveaway, I love using pesto as a base for pizza. So yummy!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  55. Jeanette wrote:

    I’ve used pesto on pizza, and in salad dressings; my kids love it with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella sandwiches.

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  56. rebecca wrote:

    the other night, we made grilled cheese with pesto (and artichokes & roasted red pepper)… and it was delicious!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  57. Becky wrote:

    I love having pesto on pizza. It’s the best!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  58. Duane Middlebrook wrote:

    I like to add pesto to minestrone soup.

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  59. lydia wrote:

    i like it drizzled on cheese pizza!! or tossed in pasta…

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  60. lydia wrote:

    i “liked” you on facebook!

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  61. Mary Kate wrote:

    I use mix it with pasta when hot. Then chill in the fridge and eat it as pasta salad the next day for lunch with green peppers and olives. yum.

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  62. Kate wrote:

    Pesto is one of my favorites. I like it as a sauce for pizza, on pasta (esp. with cream) and, of course, on panini.

    Posted 7.13.11 Reply
  63. Julien wrote:

    I can think of no better use than to spread a delicious layer of pesto on a nice, simple sandwich before I throw it in my panini press. Now, if only I could afford such luxuries more often (since I am a college student with minimal cooking skill and tastes which stretch my budget)…

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  64. Jen wrote:

    I love pesto on pasta and as a base for pizza.

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  65. Jackie wrote:

    I love using pesto with pasta and chicken sausage with grilled veggies!!

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  66. Oh my gosh- what on earth did you do with all of that pesto??

    I love to toss pesto into pasta… and use it as a spread for grilled cheese sandwiches.

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
    • Kathy wrote:

      Still working through it! Last night I tossed tortellini with the pepperoni pesto and added some scallions, red peppers and green beans (basically cleaned out the crisper) for an impromptu pasta salad.

      Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  67. Lauren W wrote:

    I love pesto with chicken thighs and homemade pasta.

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  68. Jen C. wrote:

    On chicken or turkey sandwiches, anything that would be bland all by itself but delicious with pesto!

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  69. Jill H. wrote:

    I love to use pesto on a Turkey and Mozarella panini….and I also love it on pasta!

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  70. Jill H. wrote:

    I like you on Facebook.

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  71. Jill H. wrote:

    I’m an RSS subscriber via Goggle Reader/NetNewsWire.

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  72. Jill H. wrote:

    I’m now following you on Twitter.

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  73. Carmen wrote:

    I once had a pesto pizza that was phenomenal! I’d love to try and duplicate it.

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  74. Carmen wrote:

    I now follow you on twitter (cmouse01)

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  75. emilie VEE wrote:

    My favorite way to “cook” with pesto is to use it in a sandwich with buffalo mozzarella and artichoke hearts!

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  76. jacky brown wrote:

    what a beautiful sandwich!!! I like to use pesto on my
    homemade focaccia 🙂 and thank you for the give away.

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  77. what a great way to enjoy vegetables! 🙂

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  78. Love this! Such a hearty lunch

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  79. Ciabatta Bing wrote:

    My new favorite pesto is made with arugula from my garden and I just made a panini using Ciabatta bread with arugula pesto, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, left over salmon from yesterdays lunch at Whole Foods and topped with roasted red pepper and garlic mayo. Yeah Baby!!!

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  80. Jenn wrote:

    I love it with fresh pasta and nothing else…maybe a parm. Yum!

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  81. Definitely toss it with fresh pasta.

    Posted 7.14.11 Reply
  82. Paola wrote:

    I’m actually a fan of spreading pesto onto my scrambled eggs!

    Posted 7.15.11 Reply
  83. sharon wrote:

    I can’t think of any way that I *don’t* like to use pesto sauce…..
    on hot pasta…as a spread for paninis on chicken or shrimp….

    Posted 7.15.11 Reply
  84. Shannon J. wrote:

    I like pesto in scrambled eggs and with plain noodles. I’m not a very adventuresome cook, although I’d like to be.

    Posted 7.15.11 Reply
  85. Shannon J. wrote:

    I subscribe to your blog via email.

    Posted 7.15.11 Reply
  86. Shannon J. wrote:

    I like you on Facebook.

    Posted 7.15.11 Reply
  87. Shannon J. wrote:

    I now follow you on Twitter as well.

    Posted 7.15.11 Reply
  88. Tom S. wrote:

    I love pesto pizza and on sandwiches, as well as tossed with spaghetti.

    Posted 7.15.11 Reply
  89. Amanda Thompson wrote:

    I love to make paninis with sliced chicken breast, pesto, mozzarella cheese, and tomato.

    Posted 7.15.11 Reply
  90. Amanda Thompson wrote:

    I subscribe to Panini Happy via email.

    Posted 7.15.11 Reply
  91. I loooove pesto as a sandwich spread!

    Posted 7.15.11 Reply
  92. I follow you on Twitter!

    Posted 7.15.11 Reply
  93. grace wrote:

    i like to use it as a sauce for pizza topped with lots of mozzarella and some fresh tomatoes. caprese pizza? yes, yes indeed. 🙂

    Posted 7.17.11 Reply
  94. I love to make bruschetta with pesto – it’s a summertime favorite of mine!

    Posted 7.17.11 Reply
  95. I “like” you on Facebook :).

    Posted 7.17.11 Reply
  96. Mmmm pesto. Gotta be a panini!

    Posted 7.17.11 Reply
  97. Liked you on facebook!

    Posted 7.17.11 Reply
  98. Following on twitter!

    Posted 7.17.11 Reply
  99. Also signed up for email. Can you tell that I really like pesto 🙂

    Posted 7.17.11 Reply