This tangy relish is very versatile; try it as a spur-of-the-moment starter with crostini (page 365), or as a quick pasta sauce or sandwich spread. It can also be spooned over broiled white fish, such as flounder or tilapia.

　　

Ingredients

serves 8

　　2 tablespoons olive oil

　　1 large onion, finely chopped

　　2 tablespoons golden raisins

　　2 tablespoons pine nuts

　　2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

　　1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes

　　1/4 cup tomato paste

　　1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder

　　2 tablespoons sugar, plus more if needed

　　1 small eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

　　1/3 cup white-wine vinegar

　　1/3 cup water

　　Coarse salt

　　

Step 1

In a 5-quart Dutch oven or pot, heat oil over medium-high. Add onion, raisins, pine nuts, garlic, and red-pepper flakes; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion has softened, 4 to 6 minutes.

　　

Step 2

Add tomato paste, cocoa powder, and 2 tablespoons sugar; cook, stirring, until tomato paste is fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggplant, vinegar, and the water.

　　

Step 3

Cover and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until eggplant is tender and mixture is thick, 7 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and more sugar (up to 1 tablespoon), as desired.

　　

Making Ahead

Step 4

Caponata can be refrigerated up to 5 days in an airtight container; let cool completely before storing. Caponata also freezes well. If you like, double the recipe and serve half immediately; freeze the rest up to 2 months in an airtight container. Bring to room temperature or reheat over low before serving.

　　Everyday Food: Fresh Flavor Fast by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Copyright © 2010 by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Published by the Crown Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Martha Stewart Living magazine was first published in 1990. Over the years, more than two dozen books have been published by the magazine’s editors.Martha Stewart is the author of dozens of best-selling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the successful daily syndicated television show.