This creamy Caponata Siciliana by Jamie Oliver with onions, tomato, and olives is loaded with flavor combinations that include salty, sweet, and sour, and you’re going to adore them all! An excellent appetizer that can be prepared ahead of time and served on crusty bread or used as a side dish with chicken or fish.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The Unique Flavor Combinations. The Jamie Oliver Caponata Siciliana recipe features a unique combination of flavors that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. Ingredients such as capers, olives, celery, pine nuts, and raisins combine with sweet and sour flavors of vinegar and sugar to create an incredibly flavorful dish.
- Healthy And Nutritious. This dish is packed with healthy and nutritious ingredients, making it a great choice for a healthy meal. Fresh vegetables, herbs, and olive oil provide a good source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
- Easy To Make. With easy-to-follow instructions, Jamie Oliver’s Caponata Siciliana recipe is easy to make and won’t take up too much of your time in the kitchen. The dish also has a relatively short list of ingredients, which makes it a great option for busy weeknight dinners.
What Is Caponata?
A traditional dish from Sicily, caponata is made with chopped fried eggplant and other vegetables, seasoned with olive oil, tomato sauce, celery, olives, and capers, and served with an agrodolce sauce. There are a great number of regional variations concerning the components, some of which include the addition of carrots, bell peppers, potatoes, pine nuts, and raisins.
Jamie Oliver Caponata Siciliana Ingredients
- Eggplant: If you are unsure about the type of eggplant to use for caponata, a good option is globe eggplant, which can be found in the produce section of most grocery stores throughout the year. It will only need one huge eggplant to do this.
- More vegetables: 1 chopped yellow onion, 1 chopped red bell pepper, and 2 short stalks of celery, cut very thinly
- Tomatoes: I use one cup of crushed canned tomatoes in this recipe since they provide a significant amount of umami with a much-reduced amount of effort.
- Greek olives and capers: Olives from Greece and capers are two ingredients that contribute a saline, salty flavor to caponata. This flavor is what sets caponata apart from ratatouille and any other meal that features eggplant. approximately a quarter cup of green olives with the pits removed and two teaspoons of capers.
- Sweet flavor makers: a quarter cup of raisins and two tablespoons of honey (you can do more honey if you like yours on the sweeter side).
- 1 bay leaf
- Crushed red pepper flakes: for an additional kick, I use approximately a half teaspoon’s worth.
- Vinegar and wine: I used a quarter cup of dry white wine and a quarter cup of red wine vinegar (any dry white wine you have will do)
- To serve as a garnish: use some fresh herbs, such as a sprig of parsley and some mint, if you have them (2 tablespoons each).
Is Caponata Siciliana Vegetarian?
Yes, caponata Siciliana is a traditional Sicilian dish that is typically made with eggplant, onions, celery, olives, capers, raisins, and tomatoes. This recipe does not include any meat or animal products, so it would be considered a vegetarian dish.
Other vegetables that can be used in Caponata Siciliana include zucchini, carrots, and mushrooms. These vegetables can be added along with or in place of the eggplant.
How To Make Jamie Oliver Caponata Siciliana?
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Season and roast eggplant cubes with olive oil for 25-30 minutes.
- In a pan, cook celery, bell pepper, and onions with olive oil, salt, and pepper for 5-7 minutes.
- Add tomatoes, capers, olives, raisins, honey, red pepper flakes, white wine, and vinegar to the pan. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the roasted eggplant and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and mint.
What To Serve With Caponata Siciliana?
- Grilled Polenta. This traditional Italian dish is a great accompaniment to the Caponata Siciliana. It’s made from coarsely ground cornmeal cooked in boiling water or stock and can be served hot or cold.
- Focaccia Bread. Focaccia bread is a great way to soak up the delicious flavors of the Caponata Siciliana.
- Roasted Tomatoes. Roasted tomatoes lend a sweet and smoky flavor to the Caponata Siciliana. Slice the tomatoes, brush them with olive oil, and roast them in the oven.
- Toasted Pine Nuts. Toasted pine nuts add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the Caponata Siciliana.
- Fresh Basil. Fresh basil adds a bit of brightness to the Caponata Siciliana.
How To Store Caponata Siciliana?
- In The Fridge. To store Caponata Siciliana, it should be placed in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to five days.
- In The Freezer. To freeze Caponata Siciliana, it should be placed in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. It will stay fresh for up to three months.
- To Reheat. To reheat Caponata Siciliana, it should be transferred from the freezer to the refrigerator the day before reheating and allowed to thaw. Then, cook the Caponata Siciliana in a skillet over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Grilled Caponata Siciliana: Grill eggplant and zucchini slices, and add them to a tomato sauce with garlic, capers, olives, and celery. Top with feta or ricotta cheese for a warm, smoky version of the classic Sicilian dish.
- Raw Caponata Siciliana: Keep all ingredients raw for a fresh, crunchy, and zesty version of Caponata. Mix chopped tomatoes, garlic, celery, olives, and capers with diced eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers for a deliciously refreshing taste.
- Vegan Caponata Siciliana: Replace cheese with vegan alternatives such as vegan cream cheese or vegan parmesan. Alternatively, skip the cheese and top with toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds for a vegan-friendly twist on the classic dish.
Recipe Tips
- Salting eggplant: To reduce bitterness and enhance texture, salt eggplant and let it sit in a strainer for 20 mins while preparing other ingredients.
- Serving Caponata: Let sit out for 1 hr at room temp before serving, or store in fridge overnight and serve cold or at room temp.
- Toasted ciabatta: Cut into slices, brush with olive oil, and toast in oven for 10 mins. Add nuts on a sheet pan while eggplant is roasting.
Is Caponata Siciliana Keto Friendly?
Caponata Siciliana can be made keto-friendly by omitting the raisins and reducing the amount of honey used. However, it is important to note that traditional Caponata contains some natural sugars from eggplant, onions, and tomatoes.
Can I Use Caponata Siciliana In Pasta?
Caponata Siciliana can be served as a side dish or as a topping for pasta. It would pair well with spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni.
What Sauce Goes Well With Caponata Siciliana?
Caponata Siciliana pairs well with a variety of sauces, such as tomato sauce or a meat-based sauce. It can also be used as a topping for crostini or crackers.
What Can I Add To Caponata Siciliana To Make It Tastier?
To make Caponata Siciliana more flavorful, you can add a variety of herbs and spices such as garlic, thyme, oregano, or cumin. You can also add some nuts like pine nuts or almonds for added texture. Another option would be to add some feta or goat cheese for added creaminess and tanginess.
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Jamie Oliver Caponata Siciliana Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
- Calories 30
- Total Fat 2.5g
- Saturated Fat 0g
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 140mg
- Total Carbohydrate 2g
- Dietary Fiber 1g
- Sugars 1g
- Protein 0g
Nutrition Facts Source: Source
Serving Size 1
Servings 1
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 30
- Calories from Fat 23
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 2.5g4%
- Sodium 140mg6%
- Total Carbohydrate 2g1%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Sugars 1g
- Vitamin A 4 IU
- Vitamin C 4 mg
- Iron 2 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
