Ingredients
Serves 5-6
| 1 ½ lbs | eggplant, cut into 1” cubes | |
| 3 tsp | Pastene Minced Garlic | |
| 2 Tbsp | Pastene Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus more for drizzling | |
| 1 cup | Pastene Kitchen Ready Tomatoes | |
| 1 | yellow onion, roughly chopped | |
| 1 | 10 oz jar Pastene Piquillo Peppers, drained | |
| 2 | small celery stalks, thinly sliced | |
| 3 Tbsp | Pastene Capers, drained and rinsed | |
| ¼ cup | Pastene Pitted Castelvetrano Olives | |
| 2 Tbsp | honey | |
| 1 | bay leaf | |
| ¼ tsp | red pepper flakes | |
| 3 Tbsp | Pastene Red Wine Vinegar or Pastene Prosecco Wine Vinegar | |
| ¼ cup | dry white wine | |
| 2 Tbsp | flat parsley, chopped | |
| fresh mint, garnish | ||
| ¼ cup | Pastene Pignoli | |
| fresh cracked ground black pepper and salt to taste |
Directions
Prep Time: 90 minutes | Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Preheat the oven to 400° F.
- Place the eggplant cubes in a large colander and season with salt.
- Set aside for 20 to 30 minutes to sweat out the bitterness while you prepare the remaining ingredients. Then, pat dry with a paper towel.
- In a large bowl, toss the eggplant, garlic and a drizzle of olive oil to coat. Place eggplant on a sheet pan and roast for 25 to 30 minutes or until browned.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onion, piquillo peppers, and celery. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, tossing regularly until softened.
- Add the tomatoes, capers, olives, honey, bay leaf and red pepper flakes. Add the vinegar and white wine. Stir to combine. Simmer on medium low heat for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the roasted eggplant and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes in the sauce. Finish with fresh parsley, mint and pignoli.
- Let the caponata sit at room temperature for 1 hour before serving, or store in the fridge overnight. This can be served cold or at room temperature.
This recipe is also delicious served on a toasted ciabatta as a bruschetta. Slice the ciabatta bread and brush each slice with a bit of extra virgin olive oil on both sides. Arrange on a sheet pan and toast in your heated oven for about 10 minutes until golden brown.
