Best 8 Sicilian Eggplant Caviar Recipes

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**Sicilian Eggplant Caviar: A Mediterranean Medley of Flavors**

Embark on a culinary journey to the sun-kissed shores of Sicily with our collection of eggplant caviar recipes. This delectable dish, known locally as "caponata," captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine, blending roasted eggplant, sweet and tangy tomatoes, savory capers, and aromatic herbs into a symphony of flavors.

Our recipes offer a range of variations to suit every palate. From the classic caponata, brimming with the flavors of celery, olives, and pine nuts, to the simplicity of the two-ingredient eggplant and tomato caponata, our selection caters to both traditionalists and culinary adventurers alike.

Dive into the vibrant flavors of caponata alla Trapanese, featuring the unique addition of tuna and a hint of saffron, or explore the richness of caponata alla Siciliana, elevated with the inclusion of golden raisins and pine nuts. And for a vegan twist, our eggplant caviar recipe without tuna offers a satisfying plant-based alternative.

Whether served as an appetizer, a side dish, or even as a main course, Sicilian eggplant caviar is a versatile dish that embodies the culinary spirit of Sicily. Its vibrant colors, tantalizing aromas, and symphony of flavors are sure to transport you to the sun-drenched landscapes of the Mediterranean.

Let's cook with our recipes!

EGGPLANT CAVIAR



Eggplant Caviar image

Provided by Michael Symon : Food Network

Categories     appetizer

Time 1h20m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 pounds eggplant, halved
Olive oil, for brushing, plus 2 ounces
2 shallots minced
4 cloves garlic minced
1 pound tomatoes peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Pita wedges, as an accompaniment

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Brush eggplant with olive oil and roast eggplants at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until soft.
  • Saute the garlic and shallots in 2 ounces olive oil over low heat until they are translucent and aromatic.
  • After the eggplant has cooled, remove the pulp from the skins, and place in a food processor and process until smooth.
  • Place mixture in a bowl and add remaining ingredients along with garlic and shallots. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper, and serve with pita wedges

EGGPLANT CAPONATA (SICILIAN VERSION)



Eggplant Caponata (Sicilian Version) image

Delicious relish or appetizer that can be served hot or cold! Serve with toasted crusty bread.

Provided by rocks_67

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Antipasto Recipes

Time 1h34m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 eggplant, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
salt to taste
¼ cup olive oil, divided
1 cup finely chopped celery
1 onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 ½ cups canned plum tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped
12 green olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
1 ½ tablespoons drained capers
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon minced oregano
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste
2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley, or to taste

Steps:

  • Toss eggplant with salt and place in a colander set over a bowl. Let sit, about 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add celery; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion is soft and lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl using a slotted spoon.
  • Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the skillet. Add eggplant and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in celery mixture, tomatoes, olives, capers, tomato paste, and oregano. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until caponata is thickened, about 15 minutes.
  • Season caponata with vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 54.3 calories, Carbohydrate 4.9 g, Fat 3.9 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 0.9 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 297 mg, Sugar 2.2 g

ROASTED EGGPLANT CAPONATA



Roasted Eggplant Caponata image

Provided by Ina Garten

Time 3h38m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 large eggplant (1 1/2 pounds)
Good olive oil
4 ounces jarred roasted red peppers, chopped
1/2 cup large green olives, pitted and chopped
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
3 tablespoons minced parsley
2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons drained capers
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
Toasted pita triangles, for serving

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil.
  • Place the whole eggplant on the pan, prick with a fork in several places, and rub with olive oil. Roast for 45 to 50 minutes, until the eggplant is very soft when pierced with a knife. Set aside to cool. Halve the eggplant, peel, and discard the skin. Place the eggplant, peppers, and olives in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse until coarsely chopped. Pour into a mixing bowl.
  • Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium saute pan. Add the onion and red pepper flakes and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, until the onion is lightly browned. Add the garlic, cook for 1 minute, and add to the eggplant mixture. Add the parsley, pine nuts, lemon juice, capers, tomato paste, vinegar, salt, and pepper and mix. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to develop. Taste for seasonings and serve at room temperature with toasted pita triangles.

SICILIAN STYLE SPAGHETTI AND EGGPLANT



Sicilian Style Spaghetti and Eggplant image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 medium eggplants
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves
1/2 lemon, juiced
6 fresh basil leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
1 fresh red chile, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup alfonso olives, pitted
1/2 bunch fresh basil leaves
3 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, drained and hand-crushed
Pinch sugar
1 tablespoon capers
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound spaghetti
1/2 cup freshly grated pecorino cheese

Steps:

  • Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Slice the eggplants into 1/4-inch rounds. Toss them with 1/4 cup olive oil and some salt and pepper. Grill them until marks have formed and they are soft, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Place them onto a paper towel lined platter. Scatter over 2 cloves of sliced garlic, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the lemon juice, put on a few torn basil leaves, and season it all with salt and pepper. Set aside while you make the sauce.
  • Coat a large saute pan with olive oil and place over medium heat. Cook the onions until they are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the chile, garlic, olives and a few hand-torn basil leaves. Carefully add the tomatoes and a pinch of sugar; cook and stir until the liquid is cooked down and the sauce is thick, about 15 minutes. Add the capers, taste, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Lower the heat, cover, and keep warm.
  • Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add a couple of tablespoons of salt and the spaghetti. Stir to make sure the pasta doesn't stick. Cover and return to a boil. Remove cover and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, or until the spaghetti is al dente. Drain and add the spaghetti to the tomato sauce. Add the cheese and mix well. Pile onto a platter and top it with the eggplant slices. Garnish with more basil leaves.

SICILIAN EGGPLANT CAVIAR



Sicilian Eggplant Caviar image

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     appetizer

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 large Italian eggplants
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, sliced thin
1 pinch red pepper flakes
4 high-quality anchovy fillets, chopped
10 Italian olives, pitted and sliced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1/2 cup plain croutons or diced stale bread
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup tightly packed fresh mint leaves, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup tightly packed fresh Italian parsley leaves, coarsely chopped

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375 degrees. Prick eggplants all over with a fork, then place on a sheet pan. Roast until tender, about 45 minutes. Let cool completely.
  • Cut eggplants in half lengthwise, and scoop out meat into a saucepan. Simmer until most of the liquid is evaporated and eggplant is dry, about 20 minutes. Set aside.
  • In a large saute pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper, and saute one minute. Add anchovies and olives, and saute another minute, stirring continuously. Add tomatoes, and cook a minute more. Add eggplant, and cook two minutes. Add cheese, croutons and salt and pepper to taste. Stir in mint and parsley until well combined. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 179, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 16 grams, Fat 11 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 7 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 594 milligrams, Sugar 8 grams, TransFat 0 grams

EGGPLANT CAPONATA RECIPE



Eggplant Caponata Recipe image

Eggplant Caponata an iconic Sicilian eggplant recipe, distinctive for it's sweet and sour flavor. It is best served at room temperature and keeps well refrigerated for several days.

Provided by Nadia Fazio

Categories     Main Course     Side Dish

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 Italian eggplants (about 2 lbs)
8 tbsp. olive oil (divided)
1 onion (diced)
2 stalks celery (diced)
4 large tomatoes ((1 lb), diced)
1/2 cup green or black olives (whole or pitted)
1-2 tbsp. capers
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
4 tbsp. red wine vinegar
salt and pepper (to taste)
handful fresh basil leaves (chopped or hand torn)

Steps:

  • Cut the eggplants into approximate 1 inch cubes. Place in a large bowl, salt generously and cover with water. Let sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Drain, rinse and pat dry.
  • Preheat oven to 400F and cover 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Distribute the eggplant cubes in the pans and toss with 3 tbsp. of olive oil in each pan. Bake for 30 minutes, tossing halfway through cooking.
  • Meanwhile, in a large skillet heat 2 tbsp. olive oil on medium-high heat, add onion, cook for 3 minutes. Stir in celery, add a pinch of salt, lower heat, cover the pan and let the celery cook for 5 minutes.
  • Uncover, increase heat to medium-high, add tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Stir in olives, capers sugar, red wine vinegar and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the roasted eggplant and continue to simmer for 5 more minutes. Adjust the seasoning, if necessary.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the basil.

Nutrition Facts : Carbohydrate 32 g, Protein 5 g, Fat 26 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 397 mg, Fiber 11 g, Sugar 22 g, Calories 357 kcal, UnsaturatedFat 21 g, ServingSize 1 serving

EGGPLANT CAVIAR



Eggplant Caviar image

Provided by Molly O'Neill

Categories     dips and spreads, appetizer

Time 2h10m

Yield Five cups

Number Of Ingredients 6

4 large eggplants
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Halve the eggplants lengthwise, score with a knife and sprinkle lightly with the kosher salt. Cover with a heavy plate and weigh down the plate to press out the moisture for 1 hour.
  • Squeeze excess water from the eggplants. Lay the eggplants skin side down on the coals and roast until completely soft, from 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the heat of the coals. Remove and set aside to cool.
  • When the eggplants are cool enough to handle, skin them. Place in a wooden bowl and use a fork to mince them. Remove the pulp to a piece of clean cloth or a towel to drain the excess liquid.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic, mustard and salt and pepper. Add the eggplant pulp and stir to mix. Serve immediately or store on ice for up to two days.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 264, UnsaturatedFat 18 grams, Carbohydrate 17 grams, Fat 22 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 696 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams, TransFat 0 grams

EGGPLANT CAVIAR



Eggplant Caviar image

Adapted from my local newspaper as a replacement for the too expensive Beluga caviar. I don't personally like caviar, but my husband does. I am posting this as a "private" recipe. If you are seeing it, then he must have liked it. If you can't find Greek yogurt, you can strain regular yogurt through cheesecloth until it is thickened and almost cheese-like.

Provided by threeovens

Categories     Spreads

Time 1h30m

Yield 1 1/2 cups, 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 large eggplant (about 1 1/2 pounds)
5 anchovy fillets (or 1 tablespoon anchovy paste)
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 large shallot, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons capers, rinsed, drained and chopped
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (or to taste)
salt
2 -3 tablespoons chopped parsley, for garnish
toast points or toasted pita bread, wedges
chopped hard-cooked egg
chopped red onion
capers
Greek yogurt

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Puncture the eggplant all around with a sharp knife. Place on a baking sheet or shallow baking dish and bake about 1 1/2 hours until it is very soft.
  • Meanwhile soak anchovy fillets in cold water for about 10 minutes. Pat dry and smash with a fork. Place anchovy in a large bowl; add garlic, shallot, capers and pepper. Add a tablespoon olive oil and mix. Set aside.
  • Once eggplant is done, allow to rest until is cool enough to handle. Cut open and scoop out the pulp into a large strainer. Scrape the inside of the skin with a spoon to remove all the pulp. Press pulp into strainer to remove as much moisture as you can. Let drain about 10 minutes, then transfer to a cutting board; chop fine.
  • Place chopped eggplant in the bowl with the other ingredients and mix well. Add remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil and mix until smooth. Add lemon juice to taste and salt to taste. Spoon into a serving bowl and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
  • Place egg in a small serving bowl; red onion in another small bowl; capers in another bowl; and Greek yogurt in still another small bowl. Serve with toast or pita wedges.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 114.7, Fat 9.5, SaturatedFat 1.4, Cholesterol 2.8, Sodium 189.4, Carbohydrate 6.6, Fiber 3.3, Sugar 2.2, Protein 2.2

Tips:

  • Choose the right eggplant. Look for eggplants that are firm and have a deep purple color. Avoid eggplants that are soft or have blemishes.
  • Roast the eggplant properly. Roasting the eggplant brings out its smoky flavor and makes it easier to peel. To roast the eggplant, prick it all over with a fork and then roast it at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes, or until the eggplant is soft and collapsing.
  • Let the eggplant cool completely before handling it. This will help prevent the eggplant from breaking apart.
  • Use a food processor to chop the eggplant. This will make the eggplant caviar smooth and creamy.
  • Season the eggplant caviar to taste. Add salt, pepper, lemon juice, and other spices to taste.
  • Serve the eggplant caviar immediately or store it in the refrigerator for later. Eggplant caviar can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

Sicilian eggplant caviar is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, a side dish, or a main course. It is also a healthy dish that is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. If you are looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy eggplant, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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