Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Fennel Caponata – a delicate and fragrant Sicilian twist
Discover fennel caponata, a refined and lighter variation of the classic Sicilian favourite - perfect as a starter or Mediterranean side.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 4 fennel bulbs
- ✓ 1 onion
- ✓ 1 celery stick
- ✓ 2 peeled tomatoes
- ✓ A handful of pitted green olives
- ✓ 1 tablespoon rinsed capers
- ✓ 1 tablespoon pine nuts
- ✓ Half a glass red wine vinegar
- ✓ 1 tablespoon sugar
- ✓ Extra-virgin olive oil
- ✓ Salt, to taste
📊 Nutritional Information
If you’re in the mood for a caponata that feels a touch lighter yet still wonderfully characterful, this fennel caponata is a delightful surprise. Here, the classic Sicilian dish is reimagined by swapping aubergines for fennel bulbs, giving the recipe a gentler fragrance and a lovely sweetness that pairs beautifully with its trademark agrodolce balance.
Served cold as an antipasto or alongside grilled fish, cured meats or warm bread, it’s a Mediterranean dish that rewards patience - the flavours only get better as they rest and mingle.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Trim away the tough outer layers of the fennel, then slice into wedges or medium-sized pieces.
- 2
Fry the fennel in plenty of extra-virgin olive oil until golden. Drain and set aside on kitchen paper.
- 3
In the same pan, add the chopped onion and gently soften with a small splash of oil.
- 4
Add the chopped celery, olives, capers and pine nuts, letting everything sizzle together for a few minutes.
- 5
Stir in the diced peeled tomatoes and cook over a low heat for about 15 minutes. Season with salt.
- 6
Add the fried fennel back to the pan, mix gently and pour in the vinegar in which you’ve dissolved the sugar.
- 7
Let the vinegar evaporate, allow the flavours to combine fully, and leave to cool completely before serving.
💡 Tips and Variations
For a more pronounced sweet-savoury contrast, add a small handful of raisins. If you don’t have pine nuts, toasted almonds bring a lovely crunch. Like all good caponate, this one tastes even better the day after - the flavours mellow and deepen beautifully.
📦 Storage
- • Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- • Always serve at room temperature to enjoy its full aroma.
- • Do not freeze, as fennel can lose its texture.
🍷 Pairing
Pair this fennel caponata with a glass of Contea di Sclafani Merlot. Its soft, fruity notes balance the gentle acidity and sweetness of the agrodolce sauce perfectly.
Fennel caponata is a wonderful discovery for anyone who loves the honest, soulful flavours of Sicilian cooking. Delicate, aromatic and pleasantly light, it captures the best of Mediterranean vegetables and the island’s timeless love for sweet-and-sour dishes.
Rate this recipe
Click or tap the stars to rate
Potrebbero interessarti anche:
-
Crispy Prickly Pear Peel Cutlets - A True Sicilian Surprise Starters Quick RecipesDiscover this delightfully unexpected Sicilian antipasto where humble prickly pear peels are transformed into golden, crunchy cutlets.
-
Buffalo Mozzarella Skewers: A Simple, Irresistible Starter Starters Quick RecipesDiscover these buffalo mozzarella skewers – a simple, delicious Italian-style appetiser that’s perfect for impressing your guests.
-
Sicilian Batter-Fried Artichokes - A Crisp and Golden Festive Treat Starters Christmas Recipes Quick RecipesCrisp, golden and irresistibly light - discover these Sicilian batter-fried artichokes, perfect as a festive starter or an indulgent winter treat.
-
Aubergine Caponata – a journey into Sicily’s most iconic flavours Side Dishes and VegetablesDiscover this classic Sicilian aubergine caponata - a rich, sweet-and-sour Mediterranean side dish perfect for any occasion.
-
Caramelised Baby Onions with Orange Blossom Honey Side Dishes and VegetablesA delicate Sicilian side dish where sweet baby onions simmer in Marsala and orange blossom honey until glossy, tender and irresistibly aromatic.
-
Sicilian Mitilugghie: Golden Little Fritters from Acate StartersCrisp on the outside, soft within - these rustic Sicilian fritters from Acate bring sunshine and tradition to your appetiser table.
-
Sicilian Canazzo – a vibrant Palermo vegetable medley Side Dishes and VegetablesA colourful, sun-kissed Sicilian side dish from Palermo, made with gently fried summer vegetables and bursting with Mediterranean fragrance.
-
Sicilian Fried Salt Cod - A Christmas Classic Starters Christmas Recipes Quick Recipes Fish Main Courses Main CoursesDiscover this beautifully simple Sicilian fried salt cod, a crisp and golden Christmas classic that brings Mediterranean warmth to the festive table.
-
Black Broccoli in the Pan: A Bold and Comforting Sicilian Side Side Dishes and Vegetables Quick RecipesDiscover this quick and flavour-packed Sicilian black broccoli dish - rich with cheese, olives and red wine, perfect with both meat and fish.
-
Anchovy Panzerotti: A Taste of Sicily in Every Bite Other Recipes Starters Street FoodDiscover Sicilian anchovy panzerotti - crisp golden parcels with a savoury heart, perfect for sharing at any occasion.