Pisto Manchego (Slow-Cooked Vegetables with Tomato and Peppers)
Why this recipe works
- Slow-built flavour: Cooking the onion, peppers, aubergine and courgette in stages lets each vegetable soften properly before the tomatoes reduce.
- Classic texture: A low, uncovered simmer concentrates the tomato and olive oil into the soft, jammy consistency associated with pisto.
- Flexible serving: It works warm, at room temperature, as a side dish, or topped with an egg for a simple main.
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Authenticity notes
- La Mancha style: Pisto Manchego is closely associated with La Mancha and centres on gently cooked vegetables, tomato and olive oil rather than stock or heavy seasoning.
- Egg on top: A fried egg is a common finishing touch, adding richness while keeping the vegetable base simple and recognisable.
Ingredient notes
- Use ripe tomatoes: Very ripe tomatoes give the best sweetness and body; underripe tomatoes can make the finished pisto taste sharper and thinner.
- Paprika choice: Sweet paprika keeps the flavour rounded and traditional, while smoked paprika gives a deeper, more pronounced savoury note.
Texture tips
- For a softer finish: Chop the vegetables quite small so they collapse into the tomato as they simmer.
- For a jammy texture: Keep the pan uncovered once the tomatoes are added so excess moisture can evaporate.
Make-ahead tips
- Good made ahead: The flavours settle well after chilling, making pisto a strong make-ahead option for lunches, sides or simple dinners.
- Reheat gently: Warm it over a low heat, adding a small splash of water if it has thickened too much in the fridge.
- Freezes well: Freeze in portions once fully cooled, then defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Warm the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Finely chop the onion, add it with a pinch of the salt, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Slice the garlic, then add it to the pan and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Cut the peppers into small pieces, add them in, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until they begin to soften.
- Cut the aubergine and courgette into small pieces. Add the aubergine with another pinch of salt and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, then add the courgette and cook for 5 minutes more until the vegetables are glossy and starting to collapse.
- Grate the tomatoes on the coarse side of a grater (or crush them well with your hands) and stir them into the pan. Stir in the sweet paprika and the remaining salt, then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low and cook, uncovered, for 18 to 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until thick, jammy and concentrated. Taste and adjust with a little more salt if needed, then serve warm or at room temperature.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Keep the heat low once the tomatoes go in; a gentle simmer helps the vegetables turn sweet and jammy without catching.
- For a smoother, more traditional texture, chop the vegetables quite small so they melt into the tomato as they cook.
- If serving with eggs, cook them separately and add on top just before serving so the pisto stays vegan for anyone who wants it.
Substitutions
- Replace sweet paprika with smoked paprika for a deeper, smoky flavour.
- Replace extra virgin olive oil with light olive oil for a milder finish.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 4 days
- Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat gently in a frying pan over a low heat until piping hot, adding a small splash of water if it looks dry; it also eats well at room temperature. Freeze in portions and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 1h (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Spanish
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