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Eggplant Relish Recipe

Filed under Appetizer, Condiment, Vegetable, Vegetarian, Wheat-free

Eggplant Relish

Tucked away in funky Bernal Heights, my old neighborhood in San Francisco, used to lie Palatino, an Italian trattoria which served unexpectedly exceptional Italian food. I used to go there regularly and became addicted to the eggplant caponata condiment they served with bread sticks that accompanied every meal. I have no idea if this is even close to the same recipe that the restaurant used, but it is certainly in the right direction. Palatino's version chops the veggies a bit finer.

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Eggplant Relish Recipe

Ingredients

3 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 medium sized eggplant - about 1 lb, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
6 plum tomatoes, finely chopped
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup walnuts or pinenuts
1/4 cup pitted green olives, chopped
1/4 cup raisins
2 to 3 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp capers, drained
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Method

1 Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until the onion begins to soften - about 5 minutes. Add the garlic. Cook a couple minutes more.

2 Add eggplant and tomatoes. Cover. Cook, stirring occasionally until eggplant is very soft, about 15 minutes.

3 Add vinegar, nuts, olives, raisins, sugar, and capers. Cook uncovered over medium-low heat until vegetables begin to break down, about 10-12 minutes.

4 Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Mix in the parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Relish can be refrigerated, covered, up to 5 days.

Makes 4 cups. Serve with toasted French baguette slices, bread sticks, on a sandwich, or with fish or chicken.

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Posted by Elise on Sep 13, 2005 and indexed Caponata, Eggplant, Italian, Relish

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Comments

What an interesting recipe, with the walnuts, raisins, etc! I think I will definitely have to try this.

Posted by: Beth - The Zen Foodist on September 14, 2005 11:27 PM

Hi there,

I'm new to cooking and recently my mother brought home some eggplant which she bought at the Farmers Market. I had no idea what to do with them. I didn't even know that it was eggplant - haha! Now, I know how I will prepare them. I look forward to trying this recipe. Thanks!

Paz

Posted by: Paz on September 16, 2005 1:47 PM

Yes, caponata. I remember their caponata fondly.

The restaurant is gone, though. Its now called Chez Maman. Haven't been there yet. Don't know the story.

Posted by: KC on September 17, 2005 11:12 PM

Hi KC - oh no! Dang it. I hate it when great little restaurants go out of business. I'm assuming that's what happened; I was always amazed at the ease of getting a table given the quality and reasonable price of the food. Moki's across the street usually had a line on any given night. Guess it just wasn't the right location; perhaps would have done better on Filmore. Would love to know what happened and if they have opened up anywhere else.

Posted by: elise [TypeKey Profile Page] on September 18, 2005 10:37 PM

!!!!! I just said TODAY! that i can't wait for my neighbor to make that Eggplant Copanata. I can cook mostly anything>? but this dish is sooo deelicious and this recipe has to be the one he makes. Im not the biggest fan of eggplant or rasins unless its of course parmegiano but this is addicting! Bon Apetite`

Posted by: Lorraine on July 11, 2007 2:36 PM

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