Caponata Panini

Name: Caponata Panini
Ingredients: 4 sourdough demi-baguettes or rolls, halved lengthwise; 4 slices provolone cheese, halved; 1 1/3 cups caponata, recipe follows; Special Equipment: a panini grill; Preheat a panini grill.; 1/4 cup olive oil; 1 medium onion, chopped; 1 celery stalk, chopped; 1 medium eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch cubes; 1 red bell pepper, cored seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces; 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices; 3 tablespoons raisins; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/4 cup red wine vinegar; 4 teaspoons sugar; 1 tablespoon drained capers; 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning

18 ingredients

13 steps

Ingredients

4 sourdough demi-baguettes or rolls, halved lengthwise
4 slices provolone cheese, halved
1 1/3 cups caponata, recipe follows
Special Equipment: a panini grill
Preheat a panini grill.
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 medium eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 red bell pepper, cored seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
3 tablespoons raisins
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
4 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon drained capers
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning

Directions

1

Using a grapefruit spoon or fingers, scoop out a 1-inch wide trough along the cut sides of the baguettes.
2

Place 2 half-slices of the provolone cheese on each bottom half of the baguettes.
3

Spoon 1/3 cup of the caponata on top of the cheese.
4

Place the top halves on the baguettes and grill the panini until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes.
5

Caponata
6

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
7

Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes.
8

Add the celery and eggplant and cook until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes.
9

Add the red bell pepper and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
10

Add the tomatoes, raisins, and oregano to the pan.
11

Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens, about 20 minutes.
12

Stir in the vinegar, sugar, capers, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
13

Season, to taste, with more salt and pepper, if needed.