Toss cubed eggplant with a teaspoon of salt and let sit for about 20 minutes. With a paper towel pat the cubed eggplant dry. In Dutch oven heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil, add the cubed eggplant, and sauté over medium heat until lightly browned. Remove eggplant and set aside. Add remaining extra virgin olive oil to the same Dutch oven, add diced onions and cook until translucent. Add garlic, a sprig of fresh thyme, chopped fresh basil, crushed fennel seeds, red pepper chili flakes, peppers, and squash. Stir in eggplant, add red wine vinegar, cover Dutch oven with lid and cook ratatouille over medium heat for about 20 minutes or until all vegetables are soft. Add sea salt to taste.
1 each zucchini, 1 each yellow Squash, 1 each eggplant, 1 each onion, 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 3 each garlic cloves,, 1 sprig thyme, 1 pinch red pepper chili flakes, 3 each tomatoes, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp fennel seeds, 1 each red bell pepper, 1 each green bell pepper, 2 tbsp fresh basil, 1 pinch red pepper chili flakes