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Balance acidity and sweetness: Vinegar enhances the vegetables’ flavors, while a small amount of sugar can be added if a sweeter profile is desired—though the chef prefers to omit sugar here.
Season gradually: Tasting as you go ensures the flavors are balanced before serving.
The Final Verdict
The chef commissions a taste tester, who describes the dish as tasting like summer itself—fresh, garden-like, and bursting with flavor. The eggplant stands out as the favorite, rich and savory, followed closely by the sweetness of tomatoes.
Nutritionally, the dish is calorie-dense due to generous olive oil but highly flavorful and satisfying. Recommendations include serving it with grilled meats or fish for a complete summer meal, complemented by a glass of white wine.