Festive Caponata Two Ways - Delicious Living

Ingredients

• 1/2 globe eggplant (about 3/4 lb) (unpeeled)
• 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion (peeled and finely diced)
• 1 celery stalk (finely diced)
• 2 large garlic cloves (finely minced)
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper (seeded and finely diced)
• 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup chopped pitted Kalamata olives
• 1 tsp raw cane sugar
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 ripe tomato (seeded and very finely diced)
• 2 Tbsp rinsed and drained capers
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup each chopped fresh basil and parsely
• Crostini (optional)
• Silky smooth plain hummus (optional)
• 4 oz plain goat cheese, crumbled, or blue cheese (optional)
• 1/2 cup pine nuts or finely chopped walnuts, toasted (optional)