Ingredients

  • 4 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise
  • 2 medium globe eggplants, cut into 3/4-inch-thick slices
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 1 large stalk celery, diced
  • 1 small red onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup Sicilian green olives, pitted and chopped
  • 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup golden raisins
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • Pinch red chile flakes
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
  • 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 loaf Italian bread, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick slices
  • 8 ounces ricotta salata, crumbled

Method

  • Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
  • Brush the tomatoes and eggplant with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Grill the eggplant until golden brown and cooked through, about 4 minutes each side.
  • Grill the tomatoes until charred all over, about 8 minutes.
  • Remove the eggplant and tomatoes from the heat and cut into dice.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the canola oil in a large saute pan.
  • Add the celery and onions and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the eggplant and tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes.
  • Add the olives, vinegar, raisins, capers, sugar, chile flakes, a big splash olive oil, salt and pepper.
  • Bring to a simmer.
  • Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the basil and parsley and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Transfer the caponata to a bowl and keep at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  • The caponata can be made 1 day in advance, covered and refrigerated.
  • Bring the caponata to room temperature before serving.
  • Meanwhile, grill the bread on both sides until slightly charred, about 30 seconds each side.
  • Remove the bread from the grill and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Top each slice of bread with some of the caponata and sprinkle with the ricotta salata.
  • Drizzle the top of each slice of bread with more olive oil and scatter basil on top.