Description
Ina Garten’s roasted eggplant caponata delivers Mediterranean magic with bold, tangy flavors. Sicilian-inspired ingredients combine effortlessly, creating a versatile appetizer you’ll want to serve at every gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large eggplant (1.5 lbs / 680 g)
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 4 oz (113 g) jarred roasted red peppers, chopped
- 0.5 cup large green olives, pitted and chopped
- 1 tbsp minced garlic (3 cloves)
- 2 tbsps drained capers
- 2 tsps kosher salt
- 1.5 tsps freshly ground black pepper
- 0.125 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 tbsps minced parsley
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 2 tbsps pine nuts, toasted
- 2 tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Good olive oil
- Toasted pita triangles, for serving
Instructions
- Eggplant Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pierce whole eggplant with fork and coat generously with olive oil. Roast on foil-lined baking sheet for 45-50 minutes until incredibly tender and easily pierced.
- Ingredient Fusion: Peel and chop roasted eggplant. Transfer to food processor with roasted red peppers and olives. Pulse into a rustic, textured blend.
- Aromatic Sauté: Heat olive oil in pan over medium temperature. Sauté onions and red pepper flakes until golden, then add garlic and cook briefly to release fragrant notes.
- Flavor Composition: Combine sautéed aromatics with eggplant mixture. Fold in parsley, pine nuts, lemon juice, capers, tomato paste, vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to create harmonious flavor profile.
- Flavor Development: Seal caponata in container and refrigerate for 2-3 hours, allowing ingredients to marinate and intensify. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to reach optimal temperature.
- Serving Suggestion: Present alongside toasted pita triangles, inviting guests to explore this vibrant Mediterranean-inspired appetizer. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Maximize Eggplant Flavor: Pierce the eggplant multiple times to prevent steam buildup and ensure even roasting, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Perfect Texture Technique: Pulse ingredients in the food processor carefully to maintain a rustic, coarse consistency that captures the authentic caponata character.
- Flavor Melding Magic: Refrigerate the mixture for 2-3 hours to allow ingredients to blend and intensify, transforming the dip from good to extraordinary.
- Serving Pro Tip: Let the caponata reach room temperature before serving to unlock the full depth of Mediterranean-inspired flavors and aromas.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 53 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg