Best 7 What Is Caponata Recipes

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Caponata is a traditional Sicilian dish that is both sweet and savory. It is one of the most popular dishes in Sicily and is often served as an appetizer or side dish. Caponata is typically made with eggplant, celery, onions, tomatoes, and capers. The eggplant is first fried until golden brown, then the other ingredients are added and cooked together until tender. Caponata is typically seasoned with garlic, oregano, and basil. Some recipes also include raisins, pine nuts, or olives. Caponata is a versatile dish that can be served hot, cold, or at room temperature. It can also be used as a sandwich filling or as a topping for grilled fish or chicken.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

CAPONATA



Caponata image

Caponata is a Sicilian sweet and sour version of ratatouille. Because eggplant absorbs flavors like a sponge, it's particularly good in such a pungent dish. Like most eggplant dishes, this gets better overnight. It's meant to be served at room temperature, and I like it cold as well. It makes a great topping for bruschetta.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Time 1h

Yield Serves 6 to 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 1/2 pounds eggplant (1 large), roasted
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, from the inner, tender stalks (the heart), diced
3 large garlic cloves, minced
2 red bell peppers, diced
Salt to taste
1 pound ripe tomatoes, preferably romas, peeled, seeded and finely chopped, or 1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes (in puree)
3 heaped tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped pitted green olives
2 tablespoons plus a pinch of sugar
3 tablespoons red or white wine vinegar or sherry vinegar (more to taste)
freshly ground pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Roast the eggplant, allow to cool and chop coarsely.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet and add the onion and celery. Cook, stirring, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes, and add the garlic. Cook together for a minute, until the garlic begins to smell fragrant, and add the peppers and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring, until just about tender, about 8 minutes. Add another tablespoon of oil and the eggplant, and stir together for another 5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. The eggplant will fall apart, which is fine. Season to taste.
  • Add the tomatoes to the pan with about 1/2 teaspoon salt and a pinch of sugar. Cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan often, for 5 to 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have cooked down somewhat and they smell fragrant. Add the capers, olives, remaining sugar, and vinegar. Turn the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, for 20 to 30 minutes, until the vegetables are thoroughly tender and the mixture is quite thick, sweet, and fragrant. Season to taste with salt and pepper and remove from the heat. Allow to cool to room temperature. If possible, cover and chill overnight. Serve at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 100, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 15 grams, Fat 4 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 502 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams

EASY CAPONATA



Easy Caponata image

Caponata is a Sicilian dish with eggplant, zucchini, tomato, and peppers traditionally cooked in oil and vinegar and flavored with sugar, raisins, capers, olives, and pine nuts. It's tangy, sweet, crunchy, and salty all at the same time. Serve at room temperature as a side dish to grilled fish or as a starter on toasted bread. Store leftovers in fridge and reheat gently. It will taste even better the next day!

Provided by Carmencita

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Squash     Summer Squash

Time 56m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 stalks stalk celery, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
½ cup olive oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 medium eggplant, chopped into bite-size pieces
2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced
2 zucchini, cubed
1 ¾ cups tomato puree (passata)
½ cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon white sugar
10 black olives, pitted
2 tablespoons raisins
2 tablespoons pine nuts
1 teaspoon capers
salt and ground black pepper to taste
10 leaves basil, chopped

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add celery and cook uncovered until softened, about 1 minute. Drain in a colander and immediately immerse in ice water for several minutes to stop the cooking process. Drain.
  • Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat; add onion and celery and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add eggplant, red bell peppers, and zucchini and cook until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato puree, vinegar, and sugar. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Add olives, raisins, pine nuts, and capers. Season with salt and pepper and cook until flavors are well combined, about 5 minutes.
  • Remove skillet from heat; stir in chopped basil. Cool and serve at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 289.5 calories, Carbohydrate 25.2 g, Fat 20.9 g, Fiber 7.1 g, Protein 4.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.9 g, Sodium 424 mg, Sugar 14 g

CAPONATA



Caponata image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 large eggplant, peeled, alternating with 1-inch strips of skin left on, cut into 1-inch dice
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
1 large red onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1 fennel bulb, cut into 1/2-inch dice
3 ribs celery, cut into 1/2-inch dice
6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 red and 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup tomato paste
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup capers
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/2 bunch mint, cut into chiffonade

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • In a large bowl, toss the eggplant generously with olive oil and salt, to taste. Spread out on a baking sheet and roast until the eggplant is soft and mushy, about 15 to 20 minutes. Reserve.
  • Coat a wide deep pot with olive oil. Toss in the onion and crushed red pepper and season with salt, to taste. Cook over medium-high heat until the onions are soft and aromatic, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Add the fennel, celery and garlic and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the peppers and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes. Add the zucchini, season with salt, to taste, and cook until the zucchini and all the veggies are soft and aromatic and starting to come together as a stew, about 5 to 6 minutes. Toss in the eggplant, 1/2 cup of water and the tomato paste. Cook until the water has evaporated. Dissolve the sugar in the vinegar in a small bowl and add it to the mixture. Stir in the raisins, capers, pine nuts and mint. Cook for another 5 to 6 minutes.
  • Let cool and transfer the caponata to a serving bowl. Serve immediately or even better tomorrow or the next day.

EGGPLANT CAPONATA (SICILIAN VERSION)



Eggplant Caponata (Sicilian Version) image

Delicious relish or appetizer that can be served hot or cold! Serve with toasted crusty bread.

Provided by rocks_67

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Antipasto Recipes

Time 1h34m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 eggplant, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
salt to taste
¼ cup olive oil, divided
1 cup finely chopped celery
1 onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 ½ cups canned plum tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped
12 green olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
1 ½ tablespoons drained capers
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon minced oregano
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste
2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley, or to taste

Steps:

  • Toss eggplant with salt and place in a colander set over a bowl. Let sit, about 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add celery; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion is soft and lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl using a slotted spoon.
  • Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the skillet. Add eggplant and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in celery mixture, tomatoes, olives, capers, tomato paste, and oregano. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until caponata is thickened, about 15 minutes.
  • Season caponata with vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 54.3 calories, Carbohydrate 4.9 g, Fat 3.9 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 0.9 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 297 mg, Sugar 2.2 g

CAPONATA



Caponata image

A quintessentially Sicilian veggie dish of aubergines, tomatoes, raisins, capers and pine nuts - serve with toasted ciabatta

Provided by John Torode

Categories     Dinner, Starter

Time 1h50m

Number Of Ingredients 12

100ml olive oil
3 large aubergines , cut into 2cm cubes
2 long shallots , chopped
4 large plum tomatoes , chopped
2 tsp caper , soaked if salted
50g raisin
4 celery sticks, sliced
50ml red wine vinegar
handful toasted pine nuts and basil leaves
8 slices ciabatta
olive oil , for drizzling
1 garlic clove

Steps:

  • Pour the olive oil into a large heavybased saucepan or casserole, place over a medium heat and add the aubergines. Cook for a good 15-20 mins until they are soft. Scoop the aubergines out of the pan - you should be left with some olive oil. Add the shallots and cook for about 5 mins until they are soft and translucent. Add the tomatoes and cook slowly, so they break down and turn to a soft mush, then add the aubergines back to the pan. Now put in the capers, raisins, celery and vinegar, season well and cover with a lid. Cook over a low heat for 40 mins, until all the vegetables are soft. Stir gently so it doesn't break up too much; the stew should smell sweet and sour.
  • When the caponata is cooked, leave to cool slightly while you make the bruschetta. Heat a griddle pan, drizzle the bread with olive oil and griddle until toasted and lightly charred on both sides, then rub with a garlic clove and season. Serve the warm caponata scattered with the basil leaves and pine nuts, with bruschetta on the side.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 235 calories, Fat 15 grams fat, SaturatedFat 2 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 20 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 8 grams sugar, Fiber 5 grams fiber, Protein 4 grams protein, Sodium 0.4 milligram of sodium

CLASSIC CAPONATA



Classic Caponata image

Doris Jacobson of Anaheim, California, writes: "I host many family gatherings, and I always get requests for my lemon bars and my caponata appetizer. They're easy to make and perfect for picnics at the beach or an evening at the Hollywood Bowl. Plus, both recipes can be made ahead.

Provided by Doris Jacobson

Categories     Garlic     Onion     Pepper     Tomato     Appetizer     Sauté     Vegetarian     Quick & Easy     Low Cal     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Basil     Pine Nut     Eggplant     Vegan     Capers     Bon Appétit     California     Pescatarian     Paleo     Dairy Free     Peanut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Makes 6 to 8 appetizer servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

5 tablespoons olive oil
1 1 1/2-pound eggplant, unpeeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium onion, cubed
4 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings in juice
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons drained capers
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
Toasted pine nuts

Steps:

  • Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add eggplant, onion, and garlic cloves. sauté until eggplant is soft and brown, about 15 minutes. Add diced tomatoes with juice, then red wine vinegar and drained capers. Cover and simmer until eggplant and onion are very tender, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes. Season caponata to taste with salt and pepper. Mix in fresh basil. Transfer caponata to serving bowl. Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts. Serve warm, at room temperature, or cold. (Caponata can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.)

CLASSIC CAPONATA



Classic Caponata image

Classic Sicilian caponata is a sweet and vinegary eggplant stew with onion, celery, capers, olives and pine nuts. Served cold, warm, or hot, it is addictive.

Provided by Redazione Web

Categories     sides and vegetables

Time 3h15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 1/4LB. round purple eggplant
1LB. plum tomatoes
1 red onion
1/4CUP white wine vinegar
1 1/2OZ. celery hearts
1 1/2OZ. pine nuts
20 pitted green olives, sliced
10 basil leaves, torn
2 Tbsp. salt packed capers
brown sugar
extra-virgin olive oil
salt

Steps:

  • Cut the eggplant into 3/4" cubes. Toss with 1 Tbsp. salt and mix together with your hands; place in a colander and let drain over a bowl for 30-40 minutes.
  • Thinly slice the onion and brown in a pan with 1/4 cup oil over low heat, for around 10 minutes.
  • Cut the tomatoes into wedges and remove the center section and seeds. Cut into strips. Slice the celery heart (the light, tender part in the center) and chop the leaves. Rinse the capers well under running water.
  • Add the tomatoes and the celery to the pan with the onions and, after 5 minutes, add the olives, capers and pine nuts.
  • Gently squeeze the eggplant, transfer to paper towels and dry well; heat extra-virgin olive oil (2" deep) in a shallow pan and fry the eggplant in small batches for 7-8 minutes or until golden. Remove with a skimmer and add to the pan with the onions.
  • Cook for 2-3 minutes, then add torn basil leaves, vinegar, 1 Tbsp. sugar and, if necessary, a pinch of salt; increase the heat and let vinegar evaporate, then remove from heat and let cool for at least 2 hours before serving. Ideally, prepare a day in advance.

Tips:

  • Choose ripe and flavorful vegetables: The quality of your vegetables will greatly impact the taste of your caponata, so be sure to select ripe, in-season produce.
  • Don't skimp on the olive oil: Olive oil is a key ingredient in caponata, so don't be afraid to use a generous amount. It will help to create a rich and flavorful sauce.
  • Cook the vegetables slowly: Cooking the vegetables slowly will help to develop their flavor and create a tender texture.
  • Add the vinegar and sugar to taste: The amount of vinegar and sugar you add to your caponata will depend on your personal preference. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.
  • Serve caponata warm or cold: Caponata can be served warm or cold. If you're serving it warm, let it cool for a few minutes before serving so that the flavors can meld together.

Conclusion:

Caponata is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, side dish, or main course. It's a great way to use up summer vegetables and can be made ahead of time, making it a perfect dish for busy weeknights. With its sweet, sour, and savory flavors, caponata is sure to please everyone at your table.

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