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Sicilian Eggplant Caponata
About the Recipe

A traditional Sicilian appetizer or side dish featuring tender eggplant in a sweet and sour sauce with olives and capers. Perfect served on crusty bread or as part of an antipasti spread.

Prep Time:

Cook Time:

Serves:

Level:

1 h 15 min

Hard

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

- 1 large eggplant, unpeeled, cut into small cubes

- 2/3 cups olive oil

- 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped

- 1 clove garlic, minced

- 16 oz tomato puree

- ½ cup water

- 1 cup thinly sliced celery

- 1¼ cups green olives (1 jar of large stuffed olives), sliced

- 2 tablespoons drained capers


Seasonings and Aromatics

- Salt, for sprinkling

- ½ teaspoon oregano

- ½ teaspoon basil

- ¼ teaspoon pepper

- 2 tablespoons live vinegar (Migonette, Basil, Nonna, etc)

- 1 tablespoon sugar

- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley


15

3-4

Preparation


1. Prepare the Eggplant

   - Wash and dry the eggplant, leaving it unpeeled

   - Cut into small cubes

   - Sprinkle with salt and place in a colander

   - Let stand for ½ hour

   - Drain and pat dry with paper towels


2. Cook the Eggplant

   - Heat 2/3 cup olive oil in a 12-inch skillet

   - Add eggplant and cook until browned and almost tender

   - Remove and drain on paper towels


3. Prepare the Base

   - In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons oil

   - Add onions and garlic

   - Cook until slightly wilted

   - Add tomato puree, water, and spices (oregano, basil, pepper)

   - Add celery

   - Simmer for 30 minutes


4. Final Cooking

   - Add the cooked eggplant, sliced olives, capers, sugar, vinegar, and parsley

   - Mix well

   - Cover and simmer for 30 minutes more, stirring occasionally

   - Remove from heat and let cool



Serving Suggestions:

Serve the caponata at room temperature. It can be enjoyed:

- On thin slices of French bread

- With crackers

- As a side dish by itself


Storage:

Caponata can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.


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