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Aubergine Caponata – A Fresh Take on a Sicilian Classic
This fragrant caponata brings together sweet and tangy notes with crisp vegetables and toasted almonds. Perfect as a Mediterranean starter or side dish, and wonderfully easy to prepare in advance.
📖 What is it
This fragrant caponata brings together sweet and tangy notes with crisp vegetables and toasted almonds. Perfect as a Mediterranean starter or side dish, and wonderfully easy to prepare in advance.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 1 large aubergine
- ✓ 2 sticks of celery
- ✓ 3 ripe tomatoes
- ✓ 2 shallots
- ✓ 2 garlic cloves
- ✓ 4 tbsp olive oil
- ✓ 1 tbsp sugar
- ✓ 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- ✓ 2 tbsp pickled capers
- ✓ 50 g pitted black olives
- ✓ Salt, freshly ground from the mill
- ✓ Freshly cracked black pepper
- ✓ A handful of fresh basil
- ✓ 30 g toasted almond slivers
📊 Nutritional Information
Caponata is a traditional Sicilian dish celebrated for its blend of fried vegetables, sweet and sour flavours, and fresh herbs. In this version, aubergines take centre stage, complemented by celery, tomatoes, and a subtle seasoning of capers and black olives. Toasted almond slivers add a delightful crunch. It’s ideal if you’re after a dish that can be made ahead and tastes even better the next day.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Cut the aubergine into roughly 2 cm cubes. Trim the celery and slice it thinly.
- 2
Dice the tomatoes, halve the shallots lengthways and slice finely. Thinly slice the garlic.
- 3
Warm the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the aubergine cubes, celery, shallots and garlic, frying gently and stirring occasionally until the vegetables are soft and lightly browned.
- 4
Stir in the diced tomatoes and sprinkle over the sugar. Let the mixture caramelise briefly until the sugar melts and melds with the veg.
- 5
Pour in the red wine vinegar and bring to a gentle simmer to marry the flavours.
- 6
Remove the pan from the heat and fold in the capers and chopped black olives. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
- 7
Leave the caponata to cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, toast the almond slivers in a dry pan until golden.
- 8
To serve, finely shred the basil and scatter it along with the toasted almonds over the caponata.
- 9
For the best flavour, allow the caponata to rest in the fridge for at least a day so the flavours can fully develop.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
For a richer flavour, swap regular olive oil for a good quality extra virgin olive oil, and add a drizzle of toasted pine nut oil for a nutty twist.
- •
Use a non-stick pan to prevent the vegetables from sticking and make cleaning up easier.
- •
The magic of this dish lies in the balance between the sweet caramelised vegetables and the sharp vinegar tang, with earthy aubergine at its heart.
- •
This recipe is naturally vegan and perfect for plant-based diets.
- •
If aubergines aren’t your thing, grilled courgettes make a lovely substitute with a similar texture.
- •
A splash of lemon juice at the end brightens the dish and lifts the flavours.
- •
For a quick gluten- and sugar-free version, replace the sugar with a dash of maple syrup or agave nectar to keep the sweetness natural.
- •
The secret to this caponata is the careful harmony between caramelised veg and vinegar acidity, creating a beautifully balanced taste experience.
📦 Storage
Store the caponata covered in the fridge for up to three days. Bring to room temperature before serving and garnish with fresh basil if you like.
🍷 Pairing
This Mediterranean caponata pairs beautifully with fresh, fruity white wines such as a German Riesling Kabinett from the Mosel or a dry Silvaner from Franconia. Alternatively, an Italian Vermentino from Sardinia complements the sweet and sour notes perfectly. For red wine lovers, a light Pinot Noir from the Pfalz region highlights the fruitiness without overpowering the dish.
With its perfect balance of sweet, sour and savoury flavours, this aubergine caponata is a wonderfully versatile dish that’s easy to prepare ahead and tastes even better after a day in the fridge. It’s a little Mediterranean celebration on a plate that’s sure to bring joy to your table – do give it a go and share it with your loved ones!
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