Caponata

Budiono

Content Writer

Dec. 8, 2024, 9:05 p.m. (1 month, 1 week)

Category: Vegetarian
Published Date: 08-12-2024 20:54:35
Served: 4 servings
Preparation: 30 minutes
Rating

A Sicilian-inspired vegetable relish made with eggplant, celery, zucchini, capers, and tomatoes. Perfect as a side dish or topping for bruschetta or sandwiches.

Ingredients

Eggplant

Diced eggplant

1 lb (500 g)
Raisins

About 1 1/2 tbsp.

1/2 oz (15 g)
Extra-virgin olive oil

For frying and sautéing

1/3 cup plus 1 1/2 tbsp. (100 ml)
Onion

Finely diced onion

2 oz (50 g)
Celery

Finely diced celery

2 oz (50 g)
Zucchini

Diced zucchini

3 1/2 oz (100 g)
Capers

Salt-packed capers, rinsed and drained

1 oz (20 g)
Pine nuts

2 tbsp. (15 g)
Black olives

Chopped black olives

1 oz (25 g)
Crushed tomatoes

About 1 small tomato

3 1/2 oz (100 g)
Vinegar

1 tsp. (5 ml)
Sugar

1 tbsp. (10 g)
Pistachios

2 tbsp. (15 g)
Basil leaves

Torn basil leaves

(no quantity specified)

Preparation

Directions

Step 1

Put the diced eggplant in a colander, salt it lightly, and allow it to drain for about 30 minutes.

Step 2

Soak the raisins in lukewarm water for 15 minutes. Squeeze them to remove excess water.

Step 3

Heat 1/3 cup of the oil in a skillet over medium heat and fry the eggplant until tender, about 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the eggplant to paper towels to drain.

Step 4

Add the remaining oil to the skillet and heat over medium. Add the onion and celery and sauté until they begin to brown.

Step 5

Add the zucchini and sauté lightly. Add the raisins, capers, pine nuts, and black olives, stirring to combine.

Step 6

Add the crushed tomatoes and the fried eggplant. Season the mixture with salt and pepper; cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes.

Step 7

Add the vinegar, sugar, pistachios, and basil; stir to combine.

Tips

To reduce bitterness, salting the eggplant before cooking helps draw out excess moisture.
Use high-quality ingredients, such as salt-packed capers and extra-virgin olive oil, to enhance flavor.
Adjust the amount of vinegar and sugar to taste.