Caponata is a tasty and colorful summer recipe. Serve it as an appetizer with toasted bread or as a side dish alongside grilled fish or chicken!
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time1 hourhr
Total Time1 hourhr15 minutesmins
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: caponata, eggplant
Servings: 8servings
Calories: 156kcal
Author: David
Ingredients
1large eggplant~1½ pounds
3Tbspextra virgin olive oildivided
2tspkosher salt
1tspblack pepper
1large yellow onioncut into ½” pieces
3celery stalkssliced into ½” pieces
1 ½tspminced garlic
2bell pepperscut into ½” pieces (I used 1 red and 1 yellow)
16oz.cherry tomatoeshalved
½cuppitted green olivescoarsely chopped
2Tbspcapersdrained
⅓cupgolden raisins
2Tbspsugar
3Tbspred wine vinegar
Toasted baguette slices
¼cuproasted sunflower seeds
{optional} feta cheesecrumbled
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Chop eggplant into 1” cubes.
Using a large bowl, add eggplant, 2 Tbsp olive oil, salt and pepper; toss until well combined.
Spread mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until eggplant is soft and some pieces have caramelized; set pan aside.
Meanwhile, add 1 Tbsp of olive oil to a large, deep skillet; place over medium heat. Once hot, add onions and celery.
Sauté, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
Add garlic and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 1-2 minutes.
Add bell peppers and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 8-9 minutes.
Add roasted eggplant and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 more minutes, or until all vegetables are tender.
Add tomatoes and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes, or until tomatoes have begun to soften.
Add olives, capers, raisins, sugar and vinegar; stir until well combined. Reduce heat to medium-low Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes, or until mixture thickens. (Note: If mixture dries out, add a bit of water.)
Remove pan from stove and let mixture cool to room temperature. (Note: If possible, cover and refrigerate mixture overnight. The flavors will meld into a much tastier dish! Let come to room temperature again before serving.)
Spoon mixture over baguette slices and top with sunflower seeds and feta cheese before serving.