pat's Recipe

Mammas Caponata

Category: SAUCES/MARINADES

Ingredients
1 large eggplant, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided
2 medium onions, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1/3 cup chopped ripe olives
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons capers, drained
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
French bread baguettes, sliced and toasted

Directions
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 onions 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. OR serve over warm pasta as an entree.
Yield: 6 cups.