Recipe: Caponata from Sicily
Caponata is the highlight of Sicilian cuisine. This sweet-and-sour braised vegetable dish comes in a thousand-and-one variations, with the eggplant as the common denominator. It is taken to great heights by first frying it at a high temperature. The rich and full flavor of caponata is best appreciated the day after. We like to eat it best at room temperature with a large piece of toasted bread on the side.
How to make caponata
1. Spread the eggplant out in a colander, sprinkle with the salt and leave to drain for approx. 30 minutes. Rinse the eggplant and pat thoroughly dry with kitchen paper. Heat the oil in a heavy-based pan to 175 °C. Fry the eggplant in batches until golden brown and cooked through.
2. Meanwhile, bring a large pan of water to the boil. Cut a cross into the rounded side of the tomatoes and submerge them in the boiling water for approx. 10 seconds. Remove the tomatoes from the pan with a slotted spoon and refresh under cold running water. Remove the skins and cut into approx. 2-centimeter cubes.
3. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Sauté the red onion, anchovies, celery and chili flakes for approx. 5 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes and fry everything for another approx. 5 minutes. Add the capers, olives, sugar, red wine vinegar and passata (tomato sauce made from fresh, ripe tomatoes that are first cooked and then strained) and bring to the boil. Finally, add the eggplant. Turn the heat down low and braise the vegetables with the lid on the pan for approx. 1 hour. Allow the caponata to cool completely and season further with salt if necessary.
4. Divide the caponata between 4 bowls and garnish with the mint and almonds. Divide the anchovies and hard-boiled eggs over the top and serve with the toasted bread.
Tip: just like shakshuka
Sicilians generally eat caponata as a starter, but you can easily turn it into a main course. Make it into a delicious pasta dish, braise eggs in it as you would with shakshuka or stir the caponata into the risotto. The possibilities are endless, so it might be a good idea to make a double batch right away.
Wine tip for caponata
Finding it difficult to choose a wine to go with your dish? Then always remember this rule: ‘what grows together, goes together.’ In other words: dishes from a particular region pair very well with wines from the same area. No wonder, then, that caponata and the typical island wine Nero d’Avola make a magical combination.
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