Zucchini & Yellow Squash Gratin

If you’re new to gratins, they may become a good friend; especially in August, when there are so many gratin-friendly vegetables in season. And if you’re the type of cook who doesn’t like following recipes to the letter, bingo, because tomatoes (any variety), zucchini, eggplant, onions, leeks, fresh herbs and potatoes — all are wonderful mixed and matched in gratins.

The word “gratin” actually refers to a recipe, usually made in a shallow baking dish, which is covered in a golden brown crust. If you are in possession of a gratin dish (Tian), you’re good to go.

However any shallow, 2-quart oven-safe dish makes a lovely gratin. My gratin dish is missing in action, so I use a shallow, oval lid that tops a glass casserole, and it worked quite well.

Here’s a couple of other recipes for easy off-the-farm gratins that can be made in minutes. One uses pattypan squash, leeks and tomatoes and is a bit more involved, the other is a simple tomato gratin, similar to the recipe below.