Best Rustic Caponata Recipes

CAPONATA

Steps:

• Roast the eggplant, allow to cool and chop coarsely.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet and add the onion and celery. Cook, stirring, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes, and add the garlic. Cook together for a minute, until the garlic begins to smell fragrant, and add the peppers and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring, until just about tender, about 8 minutes. Add another tablespoon of oil and the eggplant, and stir together for another 5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. The eggplant will fall apart, which is fine. Season to taste.
• Add the tomatoes to the pan with about 1/2 teaspoon salt and a pinch of sugar. Cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan often, for 5 to 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have cooked down somewhat and they smell fragrant. Add the capers, olives, remaining sugar, and vinegar. Turn the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, for 20 to 30 minutes, until the vegetables are thoroughly tender and the mixture is quite thick, sweet, and fragrant. Season to taste with salt and pepper and remove from the heat. Allow to cool to room temperature. If possible, cover and chill overnight. Serve at room temperature.

RUSTIC CAPONATA

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
• In a large dutch oven, heat olive oil and onions together, slowly, until they begin to get tender, but do not take on any color (10 minutes).
• Add garlic and saute 5 minutes over medium heat.
• Add zucchini, eggplant and pepper. Season (1 tsp or so of each) with salt and black pepper. Add fresh herbs.
• Toss everything well with the oil, garlic and onions. The eggplant will absorb the oil quickly.
• Place, uncovered in the oven for 20 minutes.
• De-glaze the pan with the wine and broth. Stir in Sultanas, olives and capers and cook until most of the juices are gone and everything is tender (about 20 more minutes uncovered).
• Serve with chopped, fresh parsley and another drizzle of very good olive oil.

TUSCAN STYLE CAPONATA

Steps:

• In a large sautee pan, heat one half the olive oil and sautee the eggplant chunks over medium-high heat until tender and lightly browned. Meanwhile, in a separate sautee pan, heat the other half of the olive oil and sautee the onions, garlic and celery over medium heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the olives, capers, and peppers and continue cooking for another 5 minutes or so. Add the sugar and the balsamic vinegar to the onion mixture. Then transfer the onion mixture to the pan containing the eggplant, add the minced parsley, and salt and pepper to taste.