Caponata is one of those recipes that actually benefits from time in the fridge to marinate. If you can let it sit for two to three days, you’ll find the flavors develop and enhance for an even tastier dish.
Traditional recipes often use fried eggplant, but roasting this vegetable creates a more tender texture and prevents the eggplant from becoming too greasy. It will add additional cooking time to the preparation of the dish, but we think it’s worth the extra effort to make your caponata perfectly every time. And when you’re frying the rest of the vegetables, make sure you don’t rush the cooking process. For the best caponata, you need the vegetables to be completely soft and inviting for the ideal texture.
How to Serve Caponata
Caponata can be enjoyed simply on its own, as a stew-based dish, with a simple garnish of your selected herbs. But it’s also appetizing on top of a few slices of crunchy crostini, to introduce a firmer texture to the softness of the caponata. Some chefs will serve the caponata with crostini as small appetizers, or plate alongside two slices for dipping into the dish. It’s especially flavorful when enjoyed with a crisp pour of Italian white wine, for a special start to a dinner party at home. For any leftover caponata, try incorporating it into your next pasta recipe, or spooning onto the top of a hearty plate of polenta, for more Italian-inspired dishes.
Flavor Variations and Additions
If you’re wondering what caponata is, it’s a Sicilian dish that features roasted eggplant for its base, combined with a selection of other vegetables and a sweet and sour sauce. Classically it will include ingredients, such as tomatoes, celery, olives, and capers, but you can vary the flavor profile as desired. You can spoon honey into the mix, for added sweetness, or garnish with red chili flakes, to add a touch of heat to the dish. Though it’s usually a plant-based dish, eggplant pairs exceptionally well with lamb, which you could add to the dish for a meaty alternative. And when you’ve had your fill of this eggplant recipe, you can explore an entire world of purple fruits and vegetables in your kitchen, for more colorful recipes.
