Rustic Italian Caponata Recipes

CLASSIC CAPONATA

Steps:

• Cut the eggplant into 3/4" cubes. Toss with 1 Tbsp. salt and mix together with your hands; place in a colander and let drain over a bowl for 30-40 minutes.
• Thinly slice the onion and brown in a pan with 1/4 cup oil over low heat, for around 10 minutes.
• Cut the tomatoes into wedges and remove the center section and seeds. Cut into strips. Slice the celery heart (the light, tender part in the center) and chop the leaves. Rinse the capers well under running water.
• Add the tomatoes and the celery to the pan with the onions and, after 5 minutes, add the olives, capers and pine nuts.
• Gently squeeze the eggplant, transfer to paper towels and dry well; heat extra-virgin olive oil (2" deep) in a shallow pan and fry the eggplant in small batches for 7-8 minutes or until golden. Remove with a skimmer and add to the pan with the onions.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes, then add torn basil leaves, vinegar, 1 Tbsp. sugar and, if necessary, a pinch of salt; increase the heat and let vinegar evaporate, then remove from heat and let cool for at least 2 hours before serving. Ideally, prepare a day in advance.

RUSTIC ITALIAN CAPONATA

Steps:

• Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil.
• When oil starts shimmering, add eggplant and pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until eggplant is softened and browned. Remove from heat; scrape eggplant into bowl. Set aside.
• Return skillet to heat. Add onion, celery and another pinch of salt. Sauté until onions are slightly softened and somewhat translucent.
• Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Stir in tomatoes, vinegar and sugar.
• Return eggplant to skillet. Reduce heat and simmer on low, stirring occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes, adding reserved tomato liquid if needed to keep mixture from drying out.
• Remove from heat and fold in the pine nuts. Salt to taste.
• Tip: Most pine nuts are sold raw. For this recipe you'll want to toast them in a frying pan on low heat. Make sure to keep a close eye on them, stirring frequently to avoid burning.

CLASSIC CAPONATA

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add eggplant, onion, and garlic cloves. sauté until eggplant is soft and brown, about 15 minutes. Add diced tomatoes with juice, then red wine vinegar and drained capers. Cover and simmer until eggplant and onion are very tender, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes. Season caponata to taste with salt and pepper. Mix in fresh basil. Transfer caponata to serving bowl. Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts. Serve warm, at room temperature, or cold. (Caponata can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.)

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.