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
