Caponata Authentic and Delicious

From the cookbook Cucina and Famiglia Cookbook by Joan Tropiano Tucci, and Gianni Scappin with Mimi Shaft, foreword by Stanely Tucci. ISBN# 0-688-15902-8). Love this cookbook!

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 8-10
• Yields: 4-6 cups

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup olive oil, plus
• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 1  medium  size eggplant, cut into 1 inch cubes (about 5 cups)
• 1 1⁄2 cups onions, roughly chopped
• 1  cup celery, roughly chopped
• 2 1⁄2 cups canned plum tomatoes
• 1  tablespoon capers
• 1  tablespoon pine nuts
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 2  teaspoons sugar
• 3  tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1  teaspoon  kosher sea salt
•  fresh ground pepper

Directions

1. Warm ½ cup of the olive oil in a large skillet pan on medium high heat. Add eggplant and cook until lightly brown, but still firm, about 5 minutes. Set aside in a a flameproof casserole or deep sauce pan.
2. Warm the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the skillet and add the onions. Cook until wilted, about 4 minutes. Stir in celery, then tomatoes. Crush the tomatoes with the back of a slotted spoon. Simmer over medium low heat until the tomatoes begin to sweeten, but celery is still crisp, about 15 minutes. Stir in capers and pine nuts. Transfer this into the casserole pan with the eggplant.
3. In a small sauce pan on low heat, stir together sugar and vinegar. Warm until it dissolves. Stir into the eggplant mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Cover and simmer over low heat, stirring frequently until tomatoes are cooked and the vegetables are tender but not mushy-about 15-20 minutes.
5. Store in refrigerator. Keeps for a week or a little more. Serve warm, room temperature, or chilled. Delicious on Italian country bread or bruschetta!