Ratatouille is a French Provençal stewed vegetable dish, originating in
Nice, and sometimes referred to as ratatouille niçoise.
The word ratatouille derives from the Occitan ratatolha and is related to the
French ratouiller and tatouiller, expressive forms of the verb touiller,
meaning "to stir up". From the late 18th century, in French, it merely
indicated a coarse stew. The modern ratatouille - tomatoes as a foundation
for sautéed garlic, onions, zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, marjoram,
fennel and basil, or bay leaf and thyme, or a mix of green herbs like herbes
de Provence - does not appear in print until c. 1930.