Caponato
Caponato is a flavorful Italian eggplant and vegetable spread with olives, capers, and herbs, perfect as an appetizer with toasted baguette slices for gatherings or casual snacking.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil ⓘ
- 2 cups diced celery ⓘ
- 1 medium eggplant, cut into 3/4-inch cubes ⓘ
- 1 large onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1/3 cup wine vinegar ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon sugar ⓘ
- 2 large tomatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup water ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon capers, drained ⓘ
- 1/4 cup pimento-stuffed olives, sliced ⓘ
- 1 (2 1/4 oz.) can sliced ripe black olives, drained ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons minced parsley ⓘ
- Salt and pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large frying pan.
- Add diced celery and cook until tender, stirring often.
- Remove celery from pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add eggplant to the pan and sauté over medium heat, stirring, until lightly browned and tender enough to mash easily.
- Add chopped onion and continue cooking and stirring until onion is soft but not brown.
- Using a slotted spoon, lift the eggplant and onion from the pan and add to the celery.
- Pour in wine vinegar, sugar, diced tomatoes, and water into the pan.
- Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Return the eggplant mixture to the pan.
- Stir in drained capers, sliced olives, and minced parsley.
- Simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes.
- Add salt if desired.
- Remove from heat, cool, and refrigerate in a covered jar overnight or up to a week.
- Serve at room temperature as an appetizer with toasted baguette slices.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, try adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes during cooking. If eggplant is not available, zucchini can be used as a substitute. To reduce bitterness in eggplant, salt the cubes and let them sit for 30 minutes before rinsing. This recipe is also versatile; you can incorporate other seasonal vegetables from Italian recipes as desired.
Serving Suggestions
Serve caponato as an appetizer alongside toasted baguette slices to soak up the delicious juices. It also pairs beautifully with Garlic Bread - A Favorite!! for a delightful starter. For a complete meal, consider serving it with Pasta And Fresh Vegetables or as a topping for grilled meats or fish.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, gently warm the caponato in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to prevent sticking. This dish is best enjoyed at room temperature, so allowing it to sit out before serving enhances the flavors.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Caponato contains roughly 218 calories, with 6g protein, 31g carbohydrates, and 10g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (55% of the Daily Value), iron (36% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (29% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 842mg per serving (37% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make caponato ahead of time?
Yes, caponato tastes even better when made ahead. Prepare it a day prior, allow it to cool, and refrigerate in a covered jar. The flavors meld beautifully, making it a great make-ahead appetizer for gatherings.
What type of olives should I use?
You can use any variety of olives you prefer, but pimento-stuffed olives add a nice flavor contrast. Kalamata olives are also a great choice for a more robust taste. Just ensure they are pitted before slicing.
Is caponato suitable for a vegetarian diet?
Yes, caponato is entirely vegetarian and can be enjoyed by those following a vegetarian diet. It's packed with vegetables and can be served as a flavorful side dish or appetizer at any meal.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).