Caponata (Eggplant Appetizer)

Recipe Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs	681g / 24oz	Unpeeled eggplant - cut in>>>
3/4		Cubes
1 tablespoon	15ml	Kosher salt
1/2 cup	118ml	Olive oil
1 cup	62g / 2.2oz	Coarsely diced onion
4 cups	948ml	Sweet red peppers cut>> (medium)
		Into 3/4" squares - (2 1/2 c.)
1 cup	110g / 3.9oz	Celery - coarse dice
8 cups	500g / 17oz	Ripe Italian tomatoes>> (medium)
		Pureed to make 2 c. Puree.
1/4 cup	59ml	Red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons	30ml	Sugar
1/2 teaspoon	2.5ml	Minced garlic
1/4 cup	59ml	Black olives - pitted, sliced,
3 tablespoons	45ml	Capers*
		Salt and ground black pepper

Recipe Instructions

* if using salted Italian capers, rinse off salt and allow capers to sit in water for 1 hour before use

Sprinkle the eggplant with the coarse salt and toss the cubes. Let them drain in a colander for 1/2 hr., then pat dry with paper towels.

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Heat olive oil in a 12" skillet and sautee onion, peppers, and celery over med. high heat for 5 min., stirring. Add the eggplant and toss for another 5 min. Add the tomato puree, wine vinegar, sugar, and garlic and stir for 2 min. longer.

In the skillet (if it's ovenproof) or baking dish, bake the caponata, uncovered for 20 min. Add the olives and capers and stir well. Bake 15 min. more, or until most of liquid has evaporated.

Cool the caponata, then taste and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate, covered, for 24 hrs. before serving. Caponata will keep for at least a week in the 'fridge, or 6 mos. frozen.

Yield: about 6 cups

Source:
Lynn Bartlett (Modified by Bill Wight)

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