La Ghiotta: Vegetable Casserole Abruzzeze

Ingredients

• 2 large baking potatoes, like russets, about 2 1/4 pounds
• 5 ounces cardoons
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
• 5 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound scamorza or mozzarella, sliced 1/2-inch thick
• 1 1/2 red bell peppers, roasted, peeled, seeded and cut into pieces
• 2 plum tomatoes, about 1 1/4 pounds, cut in half lengthwise
• 1 large yellow onion, about 10 ounces, sliced 1/2-inch thick
• 5 ounces green zucchini, sliced on the bias 1/2-inch thick
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup grated pecorino

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the potatoes in a medium pot and cover with water by 1-inch. Bring to a boil and cook until just tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and when cool enough to handle, remove the skins. Slice horizontally into 1/2-inch thick slices.

Peel stems of cardoons with a vegetable peeler. Discard leafy tops. Blanch peeled cardoons in a pot of boiling water with milk, until tender, about 3 minutes. Remove and cool. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces.

In a small bowl, combine thyme, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.

In a large oval casserole dish, alternately layer at an angle the potatoes, mozzarella, peppers, tomatoes, onions, and zucchini, seasoning between each layer with garlic, thyme, red pepper mixture, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with the olive oil and bake until the vegetables are tender and beginning to turn golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and return to the oven until the cheese is melted, 5 to 8 minutes.

Remove from the oven and serve hot.