Canning Eggplant Caponata Water Bath Recipes

EGGPLANT CAPONATA

Steps:

• 1. 2 T olive oil (for frying only) 2 cloves... garlic, crushed or minced (I used 4 cloves) 1 large eggplant, sliced, pared, and cut in small cubes (about 3 cups) 1/2 cup chopped green pepper 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon crushed oregano 1/4 teaspoon crushed basil 1 teaspoon Kosher salt Few grains black pepper 1 cup canned tomato paste 1/4 cup water 1 cup red wine vinegar (5% acidity) (white vinegar can be substituted) 1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces (optional) How to make Eggplant Appetizer-Relish (Caponata) Heat the oil and garlic in a large, heavy skillet. Add the eggplant, green pepper, onion, and parsley; toss to mix. Cover tightly and cook over low heat about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, blend sugar, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Add tomato paste, water, and vinegar; mix well. Add to mixture in skillet and stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and cook gently until eggplant is tender. The eggplant will definitely loose its firmness due to stirring, but that's ok. Ladle into jars, remove air bubbles and fill to 1/2 headspace. Wipe rims, add hot lids and rings. Process in water bath 15 minutes for half-pint jars and 20 minutes for pint jars. Makes 5 cups

EGGPLANT CAPONATA

Steps:

• Put a wide cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add 4 tablespoons olive oil to coat surface of pan. When oil is wavy, test by adding a cube of eggplant. It should begin to sizzle and brown immediately. Fill the pan with a single layer of eggplant cubes. Turn eggplant with a spatula or tongs and brown nicely on all sides. Lower heat as necessary to maintain an even temperature; if the pan is too hot, the eggplant will burn.
• Remove cooked eggplant to a plate and continue to fry remaining eggplant in batches, adding more oil as necessary. Season finished eggplant with salt and pepper. (Alternatively, roast the eggplant on a baking sheet at 400 degrees, lightly drizzled with oil, until cooked and nicely browned, about 20 minutes.)
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a stainless-steel skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, season lightly with salt and cook, stirring, until softened and lightly colored, about 5 minutes. Stir in blanched celery, tomato paste, capers and olives. Add crushed red pepper, bay leaf, sugar, vinegar and wine. Simmer for 5 minutes.
• Gently fold in cooked eggplant and simmer 2 or 3 minutes more. Taste cooking juices and adjust salt if necessary. Let mellow for 1 hour at room temperature (or make it a day in advance for fuller flavor). Sprinkle with parsley to serve. The caponata will keep for a week, refrigerated.

CAPONATA - CANNED

Steps:

• Heat 5 Tbs olive oil in stockpot.
• Add eggplant that has been cut into 1" cubes.
• Stir fry 10-12 minutes until golden and touched with brown.
• Add remaining oil, onions, garlic, and celery and stir fry 10 minutes longer until golden.
• Mix in all remaining ingredients, cover, reduce heat to moderately low and simmer 1 hour, stirring about every 10 minutes.
• Uncover and cook until very thick, about the consistency of chutney.
• Prepare 3 pint sized jars.
• Ladle caponata into jars leaving 1 inch headspace.
• Wipe rims with a damp cloth.
• Seal with lids.
• Pressure cooker can pints at 10 pounds pressure for 30 minutes.

EGGPLANT CAPONATA (SICILIAN VERSION)

Steps:

• Toss eggplant with salt and place in a colander set over a bowl. Let sit, about 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add celery; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion is soft and lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl using a slotted spoon.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the skillet. Add eggplant and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in celery mixture, tomatoes, olives, capers, tomato paste, and oregano. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until caponata is thickened, about 15 minutes.
• Season caponata with vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with parsley.