Eggplant Caponata Sub Sandwiches Recipes

CAPONATA PICNIC SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the celery and saute until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Add the eggplant and saute until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Season with salt. Add the red pepper and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and saute until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, raisins, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer over medium-low heat until the flavors blend and the mixture thickens, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Add the vinegar, sugar, and capers. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Cut the bread pieces horizontally in half. Grill the bread cut-side down on a grill pan over medium-high heat until golden, about 2 minutes. Rub the whole garlic cloves over the toasted side of the bread. Add a slice of mozzarella to bread bottom, spoon the caponata on top, cover with the other bread half, and serve.
• To take for a picnic: Wrap the sandwiches separately in plastic wrap or parchment paper. Chill until ready to serve, or keep at room temperature up to 1 hour.

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.

EGGPLANT CAPONATA SUB SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. On a baking sheet, place the baguettes and toast in the oven. Set aside.
• In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until almost smoking.
• Add the garlic, onion, celery, thyme, eggplant and a couple of pinches of salt. Stir together, reduce the heat to medium, and cook until the eggplant turns golden (5-6 minutes). If it looks a little dry, add 1 tablespoon of oil.
• Add the tomato paste, currants, pine nuts, cinnamon, cocoa powder and red pepper flakes and continue to cook for 3 minutes more. Add the vinegar, stir well and allow to evaporate (30 seconds-1 minute). Add the sugar, water, salt and pepper to taste and cook for 5 minutes more, then remove from the heat.
• Stuff each baguette piece with about 1/2 cup of the caponata and top with Pecorino Romano and provolone. Place the stuffed bread on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake until the cheese is nicely melted. Remove and serve immediately.