Melanzane Sott'olio (Lightly Pickled Eggplant)
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Italy
Known as an Italian recipe, with similar versions prepared across other nations.
Ingredients 9 ingredients
- 2 pounds Japanese eggplant
- 30 fresh mint leaves
- Cut
- 5 large garlic cloves -- thinly sliced
- 2 cups olive oil -- or as needed
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 cups red wine vinegar
Contains
Sulphites
Read from the ingredients, not verified. Check labels.
Cook safely
Keep children and pets away from the hob and the oven, and keep oven gloves and a lid within reach.
- Boiling water and steam. Turn pan handles inward, away from the edge of the hob. Lift lids away from you, and pour hot water away from your body: steam burns too.
- Sharp knives. Cut on a board that doesn't slip (a damp cloth under it helps), and curl the fingers of the hand that holds the food.
Method
Chef Wood
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- Peel the eggplants and cut them into 1/4" thick slices. Bring the vinegar, water and salt to a boil in a heavy saucepan. In the boiling liquid, immerse as many of the eggplant slices as possible in one layer.
- Lower the heat to a simmer and set a weighted plate on top of the eggplant to keep it submerged. Cook for about 10 minutes, until it is soft and easily pierced.
- Remove with a slotted spoon. Repeat with the remaining slices of eggplant. If the liquid becomes too concentrated, add 1 c more of both water and vinegar.
- Arrange a layer of eggplant slices in a glass bowl. Sprinkle with some mint, garlic and red pepper flakes. Repeat until all the layers are used up and cover with olive oil. Cover and allow to marinate at room temperature for 2 days. Serve as part of an antipasto or with any salad.
- VARIATION: Melanzane Sott'Olio II: A stronger version. Cut the peeled eggplant into 1 1/2" thick slices. Bring 4 c red wine vinegar, 2 c water and 1 tbs coarse sea salt to a boil. Cook submerged eggplant for 5 minutes; it should be just piercable by a knife but not soft. Drain well and proceed as above.
Plating
Cookware for this recipe
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Saucepan
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Mixing bowl
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Chef's knife
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Cutting board
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Vegetable peeler
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Slotted spoon
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Colander