S
                      
LA CUCINA EOLIANA E SICILIANA
                                                          the food of the eolian islands and sicily
   



        

















         
caponata di melanzane II

eggplant caponata II


ingredients:

2     medium eggplants
4     large ripe tomatoes
1     onion
1     green bell pepper
2     celery stalks
10   green olives
1/4  cup capers
1/4  cup currants
1/4  cup almonds
1/4 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa
1/4  cup red wine vinegar
2     tablespoons sugar
pinch of cinnamon
extra virgin olive oil, as needed
text, recipes and original photographs copyright © 2000-2006 ~ la cucina eoliana e siciliana ~ all rights reserved

special thanks to
adam butler for the use of his photographs

alberto@lacucinaeoliana.com
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Peel the eggplants and cut off the stems. Slice the eggplant into cubes or rectangular pieces about 1 inch thick, place the pieces in salted water for thirty minutes, then strain and pat dry.

Put the tomatoes in a pot of boiling water and remove them after a minute. Let the tomatoes cool, peel the skin and slice them in half, then squeeze out the seeds and coarsely chop.

Slice the celery stalks into 1/2-inch pieces and put them in the boiling water for 5 minutes, then strain and set aside. Press the olives with the flat side of a knife or the palm of your hand to crack them and remove the pits Rinse the capers, chop the onion and pepper. Re-hydrate the currents in a small bowl of water.

Dissolve the sugar in the red wine vinegar in a small bowl.

Heat 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large pan over moderately high heat and stir-fry the eggplant until lightly golden. Transfer the eggplant onto a plate and layer with paper towels to absorb the oil.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over moderate heat and fry the onion and pepper for several minutes, then add the tomatoes, celery, olives, capers, currants, almonds, cinnamon and cocoa. Lower the heat and simmer until excess liquid has evaporated. Add the fried eggplant then stir the sweetened red wine vinegar. Remove from the burner, place the caponata in a bowl, let  cool to room temperature and serve.