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Pesce Spada Caponata (Swordfish with Eggplant Sauce)

This dish is a specialty in Sicily, where pesce spada (swordfish) is grilled and served with a caponata sauce made of eggplant, tomatoes, and olives. This light dish is perfect as an appetizer or first course, accompanied by a glass of white wine.  

Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Total Time
35 minutes
Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Kosher
Halal

Ingredients

    Fish:
    • 4 swordfish fillets
    • 2 Tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
    • Salt, to taste
    • Pepper, to taste
    Caponata Sauce:
    • ⅓ cup (80 ml) red wine vinegar
    • ⅓ cup (65 g) sugar
    • ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
    • 1 medium onion, chopped
    • 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 large eggplant, diced
    • ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
    • 4 large tomatoes, chopped and seeded
    • 1 cup (134 g) pitted green olives, chopped
    • 1 cup (135 g) pine nuts
    • ⅓ cup (8 g) fresh basil, chopped

    Directions

    1. Fish:
      Rub swordfish with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
    2. Grill until cooked.
    3. Caponata Sauce:
      In a saucepan over medium heat, cook vinegar and sugar, stirring for a few minutes until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, set aside, and let cool.
    4. In a larger, heavy pan set on medium heat, sauté onions and garlic in olive oil.
    5. Add eggplant and salt, cooking for about 5 minutes or until tender.
    6. Add tomatoes and cook about 10 more minutes, until sauce is thickened.
    7. Stir in olives and pine nuts.
    8. Add vinegar-sugar mixture very slowly until consistency is right.
    9. Stir in basil and adjust seasonings to taste.
    10. Serve over grilled swordfish.