Caponata With Poblanos and Roasted Garlic

Rita~'s Note:

A spicy, tangy and sweet Sicilian cooked vegetable salad with an added Mexican touch. Which gives this significant heat depending on the poblanos. They tend to be mild, to unpredictably hot. Adding 1 whole bulb of roasted garlic bring this to aaaaaAAAAAHHHhhhh YUM levels!!!!.. You can use Roasted Fresh Chilies Like Poblanos Jalapenos Bell Peppers.. Recipe #248301 these recipes as a guide. Or follow my directions here.I have also Caponata ' Eggplant and Lots of Good Things! posted here on zaar which is equally delish.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 25

Yield: 8.0 cups

Roasted veggies

• 2 bulbs garlic, tops cut off
• oil, for garlic just to drizzle
• 4 poblano chiles
• 1/3 cup olive oil or 1/3 cup walnut oil
• 5 cups peeled diced eggplants
• 1 cup diced yellow squash
• 1 celery, diced
• 2 cups diced onions
• 2 cups diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup diced black olives
• 1/4 cup rinsed capers
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 2 tablespoons raisins, chopped or 2 tablespoons dried currants
• 1 tablespoon fresh minced basil
• 1 tablespoon fresh minced oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cocoa
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar (Red or white)

Directions:

1. Place garlic in foil cut side up, drizzle with oil and wrap in foil.
2. In a very hot oven as hot as it can go place the poblano's and wrapped garlic on a cookie sheet. Let chili`s crisp and brown turning. Remove poblano`s and place in a bowl with a cover. When cool enough to handle remove skin, seeds and stem. Dice.
3. Turn oven off and leave garlic in oven.
4. In a large pot place oil to heat add eggplant and brown about 10 minutes, add squash, celery, onions, and tomatoes cook for 5 minutes.
5. Add remaining ingredients ( garlic if tender to squeeze)bring to a boil then simmer for 15 minutes.
6. If garlic wasn`t tender add now squeezing it into the mix of veggies.
7. Stirring occasionally!
8. Jar or place in a sealed container and refrigerate.

Reviews

[The Wallaces]

Hubby absolutely loved this! I would probably give it a 3-4, but that's because I think it's just not something I care for and is no fault of the recipe. (This was my first time trying caponata, and I've discovered I prefer my veggies warm unless it's a green salad), so I'll base my review on what he said. This was a wonderful complex blending of flavors! I loved the number of different types of veggies and spices involved, it allowed for a really complex flavor and a created a gorgeous multicolor salad! One other note: the total time involved to make this was much longer for me. With the roasting and all of the chopping, it was at least 2 hours, maybe closer to 2.5, so be sure you have enough time set aside to make this. Thanks Rita for posting this unique veggie recipe! I'm glad I tried it, and will keep it in mind as a canning gift for people I know like relishes. Made for Newest Zaar tag.