Ingredients
- 2 large eggplants, cubed
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup green olives, pitted and halved
- ¼ cup capers
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ cup white wine vinegar
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Prepping the Eggplants
Begin by placing the cubed eggplants in a colander and sprinkle them with salt. Set them aside for about 30 minutes to allow any bitterness to drain away. Rinse the eggplants with water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
Step 2: Sauteing the Vegetables
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, and red bell pepper, and sauté until they soften and become translucent. This usually takes around 5 minutes.
Step 3: Adding the Eggplants
Add the eggplants to the skillet and cook them for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The eggplants should become tender and golden brown.
Step 4: The Sweet and Sour Sauce
In a separate small bowl, combine the sugar and white wine vinegar. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Pour this mixture over the sautéed vegetables in the skillet. Then, add the tomato sauce, green olives, and capers. Mix everything together gently.
Step 5: Simmering the Caponata
Reduce the heat to low and let the Caponata simmer for about 20 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together. Stir occasionally, making sure the mixture doesn’t stick to the bottom of the skillet.
Step 6: Seasoning and Serving
Taste the Caponata and season it with salt and pepper according to your preference. Let it cool to room temperature before serving. Caponata is typically enjoyed at room temperature as a side dish or antipasto. It pairs perfectly with crusty bread.
Now that you know how to make Sicilian Caponata, impress your friends and family with this delightful and authentic Italian recipe. Enjoy the explosion of flavors that comes with each bite and revel in the taste of Sicily. Buon appetito!