Delicious Cocktail Italiano Appetizer:: Eggplant Camponata

 If you've received your copy of Cocktail Italiano, you now know that it's not only filled with cocktails but also delicious appetizers. In the section on Imperia, an industrial town along the coast, you'll find three classic cocktails and several nibble recipes. This eggplant camponata is one of them. Camponata is one of my favorite, stand by appetizers. It's creamy, spicy, salty, and of course, eggplant-y. It's divine.I like to serve mine with thin crackers or crostini, along with arugula and grape tomatoes. Plate it all with a touch of grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of the best olive oil you have. Enjoy!

Eggplant Camponata

This has been my favorite tried-and-true apero recipe for many years. I make a lot, and I keep it in the fridge for unexpected guests. It's also an amazing topping for pizza, another great aperitivo snack!

You will need:

- 1/4 cup olive oil- 1 small red onion, finely chopped- 4 cloves of garlic, crushed or coarsely chopped- 4 cups of cubed eggplant, skin on (1" cubes)- 1 cup chopped tomatoes- 1 cup chopped fresh basil- 1/4 cup capers- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar- 1/2 cup tomato sauce (from a jar is fine, unless you have homemade hanging around)- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes- salt and pepper to taste- Parmesan cheese for garnish- Crispy crackers or flat crostini (find this recipe in Cocktail Italiano, too!)

To prepare:

In a large pan, saute chopped onions and garlic in olive oil until translucent. Add all other ingredients, except Parmesan cheese. Cover and stir frequently, so camponata does not stick. Saute on low heat until combined and soft, about 30-40 minutes.

Serve as a warm appetizer on crisp crackers and plate with arugula and tomatoes. Enjoy alongside cold white or sparkling wine with friends.

xx Annette