Mamma Annettes Caponatina Eggplant Salad Recipes

MAMMA ANNETTE'S CAPONATINA (EGGPLANT SALAD)

Steps:

• Heat 1/2 inch oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add eggplant and saute until browned, about 10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a Dutch oven.
• Add celery to the frying pan with more oil if necessary. Saute until softened, about 5 minutes; transfer to the Dutch oven.
• Cut onion slices into 1-inch pieces. Add to the frying pan with bell peppers and more oil if necessary. Saute until softened, about 5 minutes; transfer to the Dutch oven.
• Add tomato paste, vinegar, capers, sugar, and salt to the Dutch oven. Heat over medium heat until simmering, then cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Add green and black olives and place in the refrigerator to chill before serving, about 1 hour.

CAPONATINA SICILIANA (EGGPLANT, OLIVE, AND CELERY APPETIZER)

Steps:

• Trim the eggplants, cut them into 1-inch cubes, and transfer them to a colander. Sprinkle with salt and let them stand for 30 minutes. Rinse, drain well, and pat dry. In a bowl, combine the black olives, green olives, and capers. Cover with warm water and let them plump for 20 minutes. Drain well. In a saucepan of boiling water, blanch the celery for 1 to 2 minutes, or until just tender. Drain and pat dry. In a large skillet set over moderately high heat, heat 3 tablespoons of the oil until hot. Add the eggplant in small batches and cook it, stirring occasionally and adding 3 to 4 tablespoons of water to prevent sticking, until just tender and golden brown. Transfer the fried eggplant to a bowl and, adding oil and water as needed, fry the remaining eggplant. Add 2 tablespoons of oil to the skillet and heat until hot over moderate heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, just until tender. Add the tomato sauce, 2 cups of water, the reserved eggplant, olives, capers, celery, and salt and pepper. Simmer the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and vinegar, stirring until dissolved. Add the sugar mixture to the eggplant mixture and stir to combine. Transfer the caponatina to a bowl, let it cool to room temperature, and chill it, covered, for 1 to 2 days to allow the flavors to blend.

MAMMA'S CAPONATA

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, saute eggplant in 1/4 cup oil until tender. Remove from the pan and set aside. In the same pan, saute onion and celery in remaining oil until tender. Stir in tomatoes and eggplant. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes., Add the olives, vinegar, sugar, capers, salt and pepper. Return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until thickened. Serve warm or at room temperature with baguettes.

STEAMED EGGPLANT SALAD

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add eggplant, cover, and steam until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Let cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes.
• Peel eggplant and dice; transfer to a bowl. Add tomatoes, onions, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and ginger. Stir in chile pepper and garlic; mix all together well.
• Chill for at least 30 minutes. Serve cold.