SICILIAN CAPONATA Recipe - Original Italian Sweet and Sour Dish

Introduction:

The video presents a traditional Sicilian dish, Caponata, a delightful combination of fried aubergines, olives, capers, pine nuts, and a sweet and sour sauce. Originally inspired by a dish made with a fish called "Capone," the folk version uses aubergines as a substitute, creating a rich and flavorful dish that's best enjoyed cold.

Ingredients:

  • Aubergines, coarsely chopped into 2.5-3 cm pieces
  • Olive oil for frying
  • Onions, finely sliced
  • Green olives, pitted
  • Capers
  • Toasted pine nuts
  • Coarsely chopped tomatoes
  • Salt
  • Basil

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

  • White wine vinegar
  • Sugar
  • Tomato paste

Preparation Steps:

  1. Fry the Aubergines:

    • Fry the coarsely chopped aubergines in hot olive oil until golden.
    • Drain them on parchment paper.
  2. Prepare the Base:

    • In a saucepan, heat a generous amount of olive oil and sweat the finely sliced onions.
    • Add axillary (small rings of about one centimeter) and let them brown slightly.
  3. Add Remaining Ingredients:

    • Add the pulp of the green olives, capers, toasted pine nuts, and coarsely chopped tomatoes to the saucepan.
    • Cook for a couple of minutes, then cover, lower the temperature, and let it cook for 15-20 minutes.
  4. Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

    • In a bowl, mix white wine vinegar, sugar, and tomato paste.
    • Add the mixture to the vegetables in the pot, raise the temperature, and let the strong smell of vinegar cook off.
  5. Combine and Rest:

    • Turn off the stove, add the fried aubergines and plenty of basil to the pot.
    • Stir well and let it rest in the fridge. Caponata is best served warm or cold and is even more flavorful the next day.

Conclusion:

Caponata is a versatile and flavorful Sicilian dish that captivates with its sweet and sour taste and the rich texture of fried aubergines mixed with olives, capers, and pine nuts. Whether enjoyed as a side, a main dish, or an appetizer, it's a celebration of Sicilian cuisine, best served with bread and savored with every bite.