Eggplant Caponata with Burrata
Eggplant is the star of this traditional rustic Sicilian dish. Blending sweet, savory, and briny flavors, this versatile recipe can be served on its own or as a topping for bread, crostinis, or even fish and pasta. Burrata brings a creamy richness and blends perfectly with Eggplant Caponata’s complex flavors. Typically served at room temperature, this dish can also be served chilled and is perfect as a make-ahead side.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 1 red pepper
- 1 large or 2 small eggplants, diced
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 4 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons prickly pear syrup (substitute 1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar for a more savory dish, or 1 teaspoon honey for a sweeter one)
- 2 anchovies, rinsed and diced
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 1 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons each of chopped parsley and mint
- Burrata
- Microgreens for garnish
- Sourdough bread to serve
Instructions
- Place pine nuts in a dry pan over medium heat until just turning brown, 3–5 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place the whole red pepper on an oven-safe tray and roast 20–30 minutes, or until the skin is slightly charred and the juice starts to leak.
- Set aside until cool enough to handle and then dice.
- Dice the eggplant into ½-inch pieces. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a tray in a single layer and bake for 20–30 minutes, or until soft.
- In a large pan, add red onions and sauté until soft.
- Add garlic, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, or until the tomatoes start to break down and become saucy.
- Add the roasted red pepper, pine nuts, and prickly pear syrup and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes.
- Add the eggplant and stir to combine. Remove from heat.
- Gently stir in chopped anchovies, capers, red wine vinegar, parsley, and mint.
- Toast sourdough and spread with burrata. Top with caponata and garnish with microgreens. Serve at room temperature or slightly warm.
