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    Home » Recipes » Pasta Recipes

    Pasta alla Caponata

    Published: Sep 8, 2013 · Modified: May 22, 2020 by Chef Dennis Littley

    82 shares
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    5 from 3 votes
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Pasta all Caponata, perfect for your next meatless Monday!

    I  make no secret of the fact that I do love pasta! Throughout all of my years as a chef, my specialties have always been Italian Style Dishes, many containing pasta as an integral part of the dish.

    But with all of the world dishes I’ve created and served, it’s always the simplest dishes that make me the happiest. Pasta tossed with freshly made marinara, grilled vegetables or simply tossed in pesto make for a light, yet delicious meal.

    Pasta with vegetables on a white plate with a sprig of basil and a fork, sitting on a red napkin

    With all the fresh vegetables in the market, I decided to make one of Lisa’s favorite bruschetta toppings and toss it with pasta instead. We couldn’t have asked for a fresher, tastier meal!

    The grilled veggies made a flavorful caponata that was the perfect complement to an al dente linguine that had been tossed in extra virgin olive oil. Add a little freshly grated Pecorino Romano and you have one delicious plate of pasta.

    Pasta with vegetables and a sprig of basil on a white plate on a red napkin

    Now all you need to complete your meal is a tossed salad, a loaf of crusty bread, and either a bottle of sparkling water or a nice light wine and you’ll have a restaurant style meal at a fraction of the cost and what could be better than that!

    pasta topped with vegetables on a white plate with a sprig of basil

    Table of Contents:

    • More Pasta Recipes You’ll Love!
    • Pasta alla Caponata
      • Ingredients
      • Instructions
      • Nutrition

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    Pasta Caponata
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    5 from 3 votes

    Pasta alla Caponata

    Enjoy a flavorful light Caponata served with pasta for a delicious restaurant style meal at a fraction of the cost! Perfect for your next Meatless Monday.
    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time40 minutes mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: Italian
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 515kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    • 1 medium eggplant peeled grilled, small dice
    • 1 small zucchini sliced long way grilled , small dice
    • ½ cup assorted pitted olives small dice
    • 1 medium tomato small dice
    • 1 tablespoon chopped basil
    • ¼ cup vinegar
    • 1 tbsp sugar
    • ⅛ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
    • ½ tsp sea salt
    • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 pound linguine or spaghetti
    • Extra virgin olive oil to toss pasta
    • 2 tablespoons Freshly grated Romano cheese to finish the dish
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    Instructions

    • Coat eggplant and zucchini in olive oil season with sea salt and pepper and grill or roast until barely cooked. Allow to cool before dicing.
    • Dice eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes and olives (cut in a small dice)
    • Mix all of the ingredients (except pasta and cheese) together a bowl and toss until mixed well and set aside. Keep at room temp if you are using immediately. If not using right away refrigerate mixture, allowing it to come back to room temperature before using.
    • Cook pasta al dente, according to instructions on the box
    • Toss cooked pasta with extra virgin olive oil, top with caponata and freshly grated romano cheese.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 515kcal | Carbohydrates: 87g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 44mg | Potassium: 715mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 815IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 143mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis Littley is a classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience working in the food service industry. In his second career as a food blogger he has made it his mission to demistify cooking by sharing his time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen. Let Chef Dennis help you bring the joy of cooking into your home. For more details, check out his About page.

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    1. The Ninja Baker

      September 11, 2013 at 7:30 pm

      Your pasta stirs up fond remembrances of visiting my mother in Boston. At Faneuil Market many from the North End would display their dishes and desserts. But I daresay many have not been as lovely and light as the pictured creation from Chef Dennis =)

      Reply
    2. Helene D'souza

      September 11, 2013 at 10:13 am

      5 stars
      Dinner time is approaching here and I was just going to cook some pasta. Great timing chef! 😉

      Reply
    3. Jeanette

      September 10, 2013 at 10:00 pm

      Caponata is one of my favorite ways to enjoy all the fresh summer produce. I’ve never tried it on pasta – what a great idea!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        September 11, 2013 at 6:45 am

        thanks Jeanette! It really was a very simple and delicious meal!

        Reply
    4. Jersey Girl Cooks

      September 10, 2013 at 4:06 pm

      5 stars
      I love pasta too. It’s great with caponata…delish!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        September 10, 2013 at 5:01 pm

        Thanks Lisa, we did enjoy it!

        Reply
    5. Sandie@afoodieaffair.com

      September 10, 2013 at 6:57 am

      Looks delicious Dennis! Pasta with Marinara and seasonal veggies are so good!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        September 10, 2013 at 5:02 pm

        thanks Sandie, It was a delicious dinner!

        Reply
    6. Michael Toa

      September 09, 2013 at 9:57 am

      You know me, I love pasta too Chef! And I adore aubergines with pasta… so delicious. Love this dish very much.

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        September 09, 2013 at 4:06 pm

        thanks Michael, it was a really tasty dish!

        Reply
    7. Betty Ann @Mango_Queen

      September 09, 2013 at 9:55 am

      5 stars
      Oh how delicious! Must try this one. Even if it isn’t summer, I can have this alla caponata all year long. Thanks for sharing, Chef Dennis. Happy fall season!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        September 09, 2013 at 4:06 pm

        My pleasure Betty Ann! Happy Fall to you as well!

        Reply
    8. Happy Valley Chow

      September 09, 2013 at 9:20 am

      Pasta is definitely one of my favorite meals and your dish here looks incredible! Great job Chef Dennis!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        September 09, 2013 at 4:07 pm

        Thank you! I don’t think I could ever do without pasta!

        Reply
    9. RavieNomNoms

      September 09, 2013 at 8:31 am

      Chef that looks amazing!! Such a lovely and simple pasta!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        September 09, 2013 at 4:08 pm

        Thanks Raven! I do love pasta!

        Reply
    10. Ugo

      September 09, 2013 at 3:52 am

      I’m definately trying this out tonyt. Will tell yu how it went

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        September 09, 2013 at 5:31 am

        Thanks! let me know how you like it.

        Reply
    11. Laura (Tutti Dolci)

      September 09, 2013 at 1:26 am

      I love caponata, perfect pasta dish!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        September 09, 2013 at 5:31 am

        Thanks Laura!

        Reply

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