Caponata
This authentic Caponata combines tender roasted eggplant, sweet tomatoes, savory olives, and plump golden raisins in a tangy red wine vinegar sauce. A perfect Mediterranean appetizer or side dish!
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound eggplant cut into 0.5-inch cubes
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 0.5 cup tomato juice
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar or to taste
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 large fresh tomato cored, seeded, and chopped
- 0.25 cup golden raisins
- 3 tablespoons black olives minced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper seeded and finely chopped
- 0.25 cup pine nuts for serving
- ciabatta bread sliced, for serving
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Season the eggplant cubes with salt and set aside while the oven preheats.
- Pat the eggplant dry with paper towels, transfer to a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, and toss to coat. Roast for 20-25 minutes or until tender and browned.
- In a bowl, whisk together tomato juice, red wine vinegar, chopped parsley, and sugar. Stir in chopped tomato, raisins, and black olives.
- Heat extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add red bell pepper and yellow onion and sauté for about 7 minutes until softened and slightly browned.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, stir in the roasted eggplant and tomato mixture; bring to a simmer and cook for 5 to 8 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and let Caponata sit at room temperature for 1 hour for best flavor. Adjust seasoning with extra salt or vinegar if needed.
- Serve topped with pine nuts alongside sliced ciabatta bread.
Notes
Caponata is best served at room temperature and makes a great make-ahead dish. Substitute raisins with dates for a different sweetness profile.
Nutrition
Serving: 200gCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 120gProtein: 120gFat: 120gSaturated Fat: 120gPolyunsaturated Fat: 120gMonounsaturated Fat: 120gTrans Fat: 120gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 120gSugar: 120gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 120mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 120mg
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