Los
Angeles Italian Caponata
by
Joan Nathan
Passover
Seder salad.
Linda
Goldenberg Mayman of Los Angeles, not a traditionalist when it
comes to kosher food in her home, serves this dish for the Sabbath
and at the Passover Seder as a salad.
- 3
pounds eggplant, unpeeled
- 1
red or yellow bell pepper, cored
- 2
medium onions, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
- 4
medium tomatoes or 2 cups canned plum tomatoes, drained and
chopped
- 6
tablespoons olive oil
- 1
clove garlic, minced
- 1
teaspoon salt
- One-half
teaspoon sugar
- 1/4
teaspoon oregano
- 1/8
teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2
tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Lettuce
leaves
- 2
tablespoons chopped parsley
- 2
tablespoons pine nuts
1.
Keeping the vegetables separate, slice the eggplant lengthwise
and then into half-inch half-moon slices. Cut the pepper into
julienne strips. Peel the onions and slice into thin rounds. If
using fresh tomatoes, peel them, remove the seeds, core, and cut
into small chunks.
2.
Place 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté
the sliced onions and pepper until the onions are just wilted,
about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and the eggplant. Cover and cook,
stirring occasionally, until the eggplant is done, about 10 minutes.
Add salt, sugar, oregano, and pepper, stir, and cook about 2 minutes
more.
3.
Remove from the stove and gently stir in the tomatoes. Transfer
the mixture to a large bowl. Mix in the remianing olive oil and
the lemon juice. Chill at least 4 hours.
4.
Serve on lettuce leaves, sprinkled with parsley and pine nuts.
Yield:
8 servings
