Turkish Ratatouille (Turlu)

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (divided)
• 1 large eggplant, cut in half lengthwise, then sliced
• Salt
• freshly ground pepper
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 4 large cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 teaspoons coriander seeds, lightly crushed
• 2 green bell peppers, sliced
• 2 medium zucchini, sliced
• 4 ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and sliced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus additional for serving
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint, plus additional for serving
• 1/4 pound green beans, trimmed (optional)
• 1/4 pound small okra, trimmed (optional)