Palermitan Caponata recipe is probably the most worldwide famous Sicilian Caponata. This sweet and sour appetizer had been originally served as side dish, and paired with grilled Mahi Mahi. The Palermitan Caponata recipe is prepared into two different variations: the first one simpler in ingredients, the second enriched with pine nuts, raisin, and roasted almonds. Here the traditional recipe of Palermitan Caponata!
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INGREDIENTS
- 1.5 Lb little or baby eggplants (700 g)
- ½ red onion
- 1 celery stick
- ¾ cups tomato puree (best if San Marzano) (170g)
- 1 tbsp capers in sea salt (alternatively, capers in vinegar)
- 12 Castelvetrano olives, pitted
- 6 basil leaves
- 1.5 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 2 cups extra-virgin olive oil (500 ml)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- to taste table salt
- 1 tbsp toasted pine nuts (rich variation)
- 1 tbsp roasted almonds (rich variation)
- ½ tbsp cocoa powder (rich variation)
- 1 tbsp raisin (rich variation)
CAPONATA RECIPE INTO THE SICILIAN CUISINE
The Caponata is a classic and controversial Sicilian recipe. Speaking about Caponata with more than a Sicilian can get confusing: every person will give you a different recipe swearing that's the original one: this is because Sicily boasts 37 official variations of Caponata and much more personal family recipes!
Caponata is usually served as appetizer or side dish, paired with toasted bread, or seafood, or grilled meats.
To read the complete history of the Sicilian Caponata, and the recipes of the main variations, click here!
PALERMITAN CAPONATA
Along with the Agrigentina, the Messinese, and the Catanese, the Palermitan is one of the most famous Sicilian Caponatas.
The Palermitan version is likely the most popular abroad, thanks to the Pensabene family, that started the industrial production of jarred Caponata since 1869, selling that in several regions over the Italian borders, like Americas, Africa, and the Middle East.
Another historical manufacter of jarred Caponata is the Fratelli Contorno factory, since 1916.
The Palermitan Caponata comes in two variations: the Basic, and the Rich.
- The Basic variation is made with the vegetables and Agrodolce (sweet and sour) sauce.
- The Rich variation is enhanced with toasted pine nuts, grated almonds, raisin, and cocoa powder.
They are both delicious, but in my opinion, into the rich version flavors are better balanced.
TIPS AND SERVING
RESTING - The resting is a critical and essential step. Just cooked, the Caponata taste is not what you expect. It needs at least 8 hours (best if 24 hours) in the fridge to bring out the original flavor. I strongly suggest you do not serve the Caponata before the right resting; you might be disappointed!
EGGPLANTS - The best eggplants to prepare the Caponata recipe are the purple-black little or baby eggplants skin on: you want not to peel them to save all the different flavors of the eggplants. The salt purging is strongly recommended.
FRYING OIL - Traditionally, the eggplants are fried in olive oil. I'm aware that outside Italy this step can be quite expensive, the taste is incomparable. In case you don't want to use extra virgin olive oil, replace with sesame oil.
PAIRING - Following the legend, the Caponata has been originally paired with the Capone fish (Mahi Mahi). Nowadays Caponata is served as an appetizer along with bread or, less common, as a side dish of grilled meats and seafood.
PALERMITAN CAPONATA - traditional Sicilian appetizer
Palermitan Caponata recipe is probably the most worldwide famous Sicilian Caponata. This sweet and sour appetizer had been originally served as side dish, and paired with grilled Mahi Mahi. The Palermitan Caponata recipe is prepared into two different variations: the first one simpler in ingredients, the second enriched with pine nuts, raisin, and roasted almonds. Here the traditional recipe of Palermitan Caponata!
Ingredients
- 1.5 Lb little or baby eggplants (700 g)
- ½ red onion
- 1 celery stick
- ¾ cups tomato puree (best if San Marzano) (170g)
- 1 tbsp capers in sea salt (alternatively, capers in vinegar)
- 12 Castelvetrano olives, pitted
- 6 basil leaves
- 1.5 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 2 cups extra-virgin olive oil (500 ml)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- to taste table salt
- 1 tbsp toasted pine nuts (rich variation)
- 1 tbsp roasted almonds (rich variation)
- ½ tbsp cocoa powder (rich variation)
- 1 tbsp raisin (rich variation)
Instructions
PURGING EGGPLANTS AND CAPERS
- First of all, soak the capers 2 hours at least in a bowl filled with water to discard the salt replacing the water a couple of times. If you decide to use capers in vinegar, just avoid this last step.
- After that, dice the eggplants into cubes about 1.5 inches per side, then pour the pieces into a colander seasoning them with 2 tbsp of coarse salt.
- Now place the strainer into a bowl or directly into the sink and let the salt purge the dark liquid of the eggplants for at least 1 hour up to 3 hours.
ONIONS SOFFRITTO
- Peel and reduce a half red onion into slices about ½ inches thick, then sauté them over medium heat along with 2 tbsp of olive oil and 1 pinch of salt until tender and translucent.
- At this point, add the tomato puree and cook 15 minutes more.
- Finally, turn off the heat and put the saucepan aside.
FRIED EGGPLANTS AND BOILED CELERY
- Once properly purged, rinse the eggplants pieces under running water and brush away any trace of salt. Then, dry the eggplants accurately with a kitchen towel pressing gently.
- At this point, pour 1.5 cups of olive oil into a saucepan and heat until the oil reaches 335° F (170° C).
- Then, fry the eggplants a little at a time until golden.
- Now, raise the vegetable cubes and dry over paper towels.
- After that, rinse the celery stick and cut it into pieces 1 inch long.
- Then, cook the celery into boiling water 4 minutes.
- Finally, raise the pieces and dry over kitchen towels.
CAPONATA “AGRODOLCE”
- Now, crush the olives into big pieces with your hands and pour them into the onions and tomato soffritto along with the fried eggplants, the boiled celery, the capers, and the roughly chopped basil leaves.
- After that, place the saucepan over the heat. Eventually, add the vinegar and the sugar, raise the flame, and sauté 10 minutes more.
RICHER VERSION
- If you go for the richer version of Palermitan Caponata, also add 1 tbsp of toasted pine nuts, 1 tbsp of grated roasted almonds, 1 tbsp raisin, and ½ tbsp of cocoa powder, then cook 3 minutes more.
REST AND SERVE
- Immediately after cooking, the Caponata is not ready to serve; it’s need of 1 night into the fridge to melt the flavors together.
- Before serving, let the Caponata rest 30 mins at room temperature, then pair with toasted bread slices, grilled meats or fish.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 588Total Fat 112gSaturated Fat 15gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 94gCholesterol 0mgCarbohydrates 24gFiber 5gSugar 12gProtein 3g
The writers and publishers of this blog are not nutritionists or registered dietitians. All information presented and written within our blog are intended for informational purposes only. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional. The writers and publishers of this blog are not responsible for adverse reactions, effects, or consequences resulting from the use of any recipes or suggestions herein or hereafter. Under no circumstances will this blog or its owners be responsible for any loss or damage resulting from your reliance on nutritional information given by this site. By using this blog and its content, you agree to these terms.
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This simple action help the growth of this blog and make very happy 🙂
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS!
SICILIAN CAPONATA: history and 4 traditional recipes - all you need to know!
this recipe is the best one Ive ever tried. It's very authentic and I make it at least once a week. It's best eaten the next day so perfect if you have guest coming cause it can be made ahead of time
Thanks for your words Pina! I'm so happy you liked this 🙂
Happy cooking!
F.
I've looked at a lot of recipes, and it's overwhelming to see all the different versions out there which is why I have yet to make this dish, but I will now since you explained the difference between the basic and the rich version. I can't wait to try both! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Gemma!
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
Love this Caponata
Thank you Edna!
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
Made this recipe for a cooking foodies group. They all loved it, it was delicious, especially if you allow all the flavors to meld together for a day or two.
Thank you Lynn!
Yes, the secret is waiting at least 24 hours before serving 🙂
Happy cooking!
F.
I just got back from a trip to Sicily and had this. Was so delicious that I decided to have a special Sicily themed vegan cooking night using your recipes! Making the PALERMITAN CAPONATA, PANELLE, PASTA ALLA NORMA and LEMON GRANITA. Aparently it smells delicious already because my dog is normally not begging for food and now she is going crazy! Cannot wait to try tomorrow once the flavors are set!
LOL! let me know if you'll like them!
Happy cooking Bonnie 🙂
F.
This is an amazing recipe - one I return to again and again. I've made the richer version multiple times and I can vouch for how delicious it is. And it's definitely better the next day. It gives the flavors time to marry and really intensifies the taste.
The last time I made it I was short on time. Instead of frying the eggplant I roasted it without salting it. And I had some leftover Sicilian wine and I added that to deglaze the pan. It turned out fantastic as well.
But I would recommend making the recipe as written at least once before putting your tweaks on it. It is that good. And absolutely try the richer version. It is worth it.
Thank you so much for your words Priya!
Happy cooking 🙂
F.
Recently returned from sicily, where we had many different versions of caponata. Our favourite was the version that we tried on the market, it had brownish color and hint of “spice” that I couldnt recognize… when we came home, I searched for the recipe that “looked” like the market caponata and found this one…
Made rich version today (raisin and cocoa powder only), it is perfect! And tastes just like the market version! The picante spice was cocoa! Thank you for sharing it!
Thank you Nadia!
You know, I'm a little envious of you because I miss Sicily so much lol!
Happy cooking 🙂
F.