Sicilian Caponata
Caponata, a jewel of Sicilian cooking: tender eggplant simmered with celery, tomatoes, olives and capers, lifted by a sweet-and-sour note of vinegar and sugar. Served warm or cold, as a starter or side, it's best the next day.
Ingredients
- 2 eggplants
- 2 celery sticks
- 1 onion
- 400 g chopped tomatoes
- 60 g green olives
- 2 tbsp capers
- 3 tbsp wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- Olive oil
- Basil
- Salt, pepper
Method
- 1Cube the eggplant and brown in olive oil; set aside.
- 2Soften the diced onion and celery.
- 3Add the tomatoes, olives and capers, simmer 10 minutes.
- 4Return the eggplant, stir.
- 5Add the vinegar and sugar (the classic sweet-sour), cook 10 more minutes over low heat.
- 6Season and scatter with basil.
- 7Let cool; serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips & tricks
- An overnight rest develops the sweet-sour flavours.
- Browning the eggplant separately stops it releasing too much water.
- Serve as antipasti, on toast or with pasta.
Variations
- With pine nuts and raisins, as in Sicily.
- With a little cocoa for the traditional "al cioccolato" version.
Storage
Up to 5 days refrigerated; better the next day. Served cold.
Nutrition (per serving)
Ingredient substitutions
- Sugar : maple syrup, honey or coconut sugar.
What to serve it with
- Crusty country bread
- A light main course to follow
- A glass of dry white wine (to taste)
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to make "Sicilian Caponata"?
Allow about 20 min of prep and 30 min of cooking, i.e. 50 min in total for 4 servings.
Is this recipe easy to make?
Its difficulty is "Medium". Following the steps in order and our tips, it stays accessible.
Can I make "Sicilian Caponata" ahead and store it?
Up to 5 days refrigerated; better the next day. Served cold.
How many servings does this recipe make?
The quantities are for 4 servings. To adjust, simply multiply or divide the ingredients by the number of guests.
Is this recipe vegan?
Yes, "Sicilian Caponata" is 100% vegan: it contains no animal products.
How many calories per serving?
One serving provides about 220 kcal, including 4 g of protein, 18 g of carbs and 12 g of fat.
