Description
Eggplant Caponata is a flavorful Mediterranean dish made with diced eggplants, bell peppers, olives, and capers, simmered to perfection.
Ingredients
- 2 medium eggplants, diced into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/4 cup green olives, pitted and chopped
- 1/4 cup capers, rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Place the diced eggplant in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let it sit for about 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the eggplant and sauté until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the eggplant from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the red and green bell peppers to the skillet and cook for another 5 minutes until they are tender.
- Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, olives, capers, red wine vinegar, sugar, and the sautéed eggplant. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and let the caponata cool to room temperature before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- For a smoky flavor, try adding 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika while cooking the vegetables.
- You can also serve the caponata over toasted bread or as a side dish with grilled meats for added texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg