Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Cut the garlic in half and rub the cut side on the bottom of a 1-quart baking dish. Coat with a tablespoon or so of olive oil.
Thinly slice the remaining garlic.
Arrange the potatoes, zucchini, bell pepper, and garlic slices in a ring around the outside of the dish, alternating the vegetables.
Pile the beans in the center of the dish.
Sprinkle generously with thyme, salt, and pepper, and drizzle with a generous amount of olive oil.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 1 hour, until the vegetables are very soft and tender.
Uncover and bake 10 to 15 minutes more.
Stir the beans carefully, then drizzle with more olive oil and sprinkle with pepper.
Serve.
