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Caponata is a popular Italian dish that originated in Sicily and can contain meat, fish, or just vegetables. It is typically cooked in a tomato sauce seasoned with vinegar and herbs and can be served hot or cold. The dish is commonly associated with sailors and is often served aboard fishing vessels. There are many variations of the dish, and it is also popular in other Mediterranean cuisines.
Caponata is a chopped vegetable dish that can also contain some types of meat or fish. It is popular throughout Italy, although it is believed to have originated in Sicily. There are many variations, most of which contain eggplant as the main ingredient. The various ingredients are typically cooked in a rich tomato sauce seasoned with vinegar and herbs. The dish can be served cold or at room temperature as an appetizer or vegetable side dish; it can also be served hot as a main course.
Besides eggplants, the most common ingredients are garlic, onion and celery. Zucchini, peppers and potatoes can also be added. Many recipes call for capers and olives, and other variations include currants and pine nuts. American chef Mario Batali’s recipe includes pine nuts, currants and mint together with the basic ingredients and seasoned the tomato sauce with cinnamon and cocoa powder.
Tomato sauce can be made with fresh or canned tomatoes. The sauce usually includes olive oil and vinegar. You can use balsamic vinegar or red wine. The sauce is typically seasoned with garlic and fresh or dried herbs such as oregano, basil and thyme.
The island of Sicily and the Italian provinces of Palermo and Genoa all have variations that feature fish as an ingredient. Sicilian fish caponata can include lobster and swordfish. In Palermo, octopus may be added to the mix, and Genoa’s version includes redfish. In Naples, a dish called Caponata Estiva may include anchovies, sardines or smoked herring.
Caponata can also be served as a layered dish. The basis for the layers is a crunchy biscuit called a gallette or a slice of twice-baked sweet bread called a rusk. The bread is then soaked in olive oil and topped with layers of sliced vegetables, boiled eggs and various types of seafood.
The dish is commonly associated with sailors, as it is often served aboard fishing vessels. On fast days in Italy, which is largely Catholic, caponata can be eaten in place of a meat dish. Caponata is also a popular meal on Christmas Eve.
In Italy, variations of the dish are called Caponata Napolitana, Caponata di Pesce or Cianfotta. There are also similar dishes in many Mediterranean cuisines. These include French ratatouille, Greek moussaka and Spanish samfina. In Spain, caponata also refers to a character named La Gallina Caponata, or Caponata the Chicken, in the Spanish version of the children’s television show Sesame Street.
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