[senior citizen]

Sicilian Caponata
Italian Eggplant Appetizer

2 pounds of eggplant, cubed (about 3 medium eggplant) skin and all.
2 tablespoons kosher or sea salt
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped fine
1-1/2 cups crushed San Marzano or Contadina tomatoes
1/2 cup green olives ,sliced
1/2 cup black Kalamata olives, sliced
1 cup chopped celery (OR MORE; I ACTUALLY ADD MORE CELERY)
3 tablespoons capers packed in salt, rinsed
1/4 cup red wine vinegar (or to taste)
2 tablespoons sugar (or to taste)
freshly ground black pepper
chopped fresh basil

Place the cubed eggplant in a colander and toss well with the salt. Let the eggplant sit for about an hour. Do not rinse the eggplant. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the eggplant on a rimmed baking sheet (Line with foil for easy cleanup). Toss with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and roast for 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large fry pan, saute the garlic and chopped onions in 1/4 cup of olive oil, gently, for about 5 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes and simmer for about 5 minutes.

You can also add a pinch or two of THYME.**********

Add the olives, celery, capers, vinegar and sugar and gently simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the roasted eggplant and stir until blended. Add pepper to taste.

To serve, add chopped fresh basil and serve with hard boiled eggs and some crusty bread.

You can serve this hot or at room temperature. It lasts several days in the fridge.

It freezes very well.

Great as part of an antipasto or just alone with some crusty bread or toasted garlic bread.

If you have another eggplant "shell" reserved (from say making eggplant parm) you can serve the Caponata in the EGGPLANT BOWL……..surrounded by pita chips, crackers or crusty bread.

Also makes an excellent "bruschetta" topping.....


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Each family / famiglia might make this slightly differently but, you can also sauté red and green peppers in with the onions, garlic, celery, eggplant, etc.
　
　

[JerryP]

I'm hungry. The only one I get is Progresso Eggplant Appetizer

[rdhdleo]

Sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing!