Pisto -- Garden fresh Spanish food

Of all of the traditional Spanish dishes, pisto has to be my absolute favorite.  I actually think I could eat it every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  It is simple, yet exquisite and healthy, but flavorful.  Combine pisto with a poached or fried egg and you are instantly transported to a picturesque village in La Mancha.  It leaves you with a down-home, feel-good food high which can endure for days!  

So, what exactly is pisto?  Well, let me take care of that question.  Pisto comes from the Latin word pistus, which means smashed,as the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language states, and I translate.  They also define it as "a combination of fried ingredients including peppers, tomatoes, eggs, and onions or other foods which are chopped and scrambled."  Most pistos I have seen in Spain feature onions, peppers, tomato, and zucchini.  I have also seen many variations with eggplant or potatoes.  It is quite a versatile dish and very open to change in my opinion.  My version of pisto is made with onions, red and green peppers, zucchini, and tomatoes.  I top the dish with a fried or poached egg.

I know that many people in the States are looking for healthy, delicious alternatives to fat full options.  If you serve it right, this dish includes all the important food groups. I recommend eating the pisto topped with a poached or fried egg, or you could even scramble it together with a few eggs when you have finished.  Serve it with a good quality homemade or bakery style bread, none of that sandwich bread nonsense.  If you still have room for dessert, have some fruit and yogurt to complete the food pyramid.  

In my recipe below I show you how to make a simple and healthy pisto with ingredients that you will easily find in your garden.  I have to admit that normally when I cook I don't do exact measurements on anything, so I can't promise that the measurements I have provided are correct.  I did two things differently than normal.   in the photos you will see posted below.  I used red, yellow, and green bell peppers because they were on sale; and I accompanied my dish with poached eggs and a bit of spicy cod.  

Well, so as to not keep you waiting any longer.  I present you my recipe for pisto.  Please enjoy it and make it often.  Remember, it's healthy!

Ingredients

• 1 large onion
• 1 large green pepper
• 1 large red pepper
• 2 large zucchinis
• 1 kg (around 2 lbs) tomatoes
• 2 cloves of garlic (or more depending on your personal taste)
• 1 tbsp. sweet Spanish paprika (make sure it is sweet, and Spanish if possible)
• Thyme (optional, this is my addition, an authentic pisto does not feature thyme)
• Salt 
• Extra virgin olive oil

Equipment

• 1 large pot
• Cutting board
• Large spoon
• Bowls
• Good chopping knife

Instructions

1. Dice onion and peppers.  Peel the zucchinis and cut them into four pieces lengthwise.  Cut the seedy part out of the middle.  Then chop them the same size as the onion and peppers. 
2. Bring a pot of water to a boil.  When it comes to a boil, add the a few of the tomatoes.  After a minute, remove them with a spoon and rinse them with cold water.  Repeat until all of the tomatoes have been blanched.  
3. When all of the tomatoes have cooled.  Peel the skin and remove the seeds.  Then smash them a bit in a bowl.  
4. Chop off the bottom ends of the cloves of garlic and peel them.  
5. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot.  When heated, add the whole garlic and onions.  
6. Stir for about a minute,  then add the peppers and cook for about 7 minutes.  
7. Add the zucchini, a pinch of salt, paprika, and thyme.  (I always rub the thyme leaves a bit with my fingers as I remove them from the sprig)  
8. Stir ingredients and continue cooking uncovered for 5 minutes. 
9. Lower the heat and cover the pot.  Cook covered for about 20 minutes stirring occasionally.  (I have never actually timed this recipe.  I always taste as a cook, and from there I decided if it needs more salt, more time, etc.)
10. When finished you can serve it as I like: topped with a fried egg, and accompanied by a good bread.