See more than one European country on a Mediterranean cruise, and get away from mainstream tourist destinations by choosing a food and wine focused Viking cruise that features Sicily on its itinerary. Home to Mt. Aetna and the vineyards that flourish in its shadows, Sicily boasts the ancient city of Tindari as well as rustic clifftop villages that are the backdrop for “old country” scenes in the Godfather trilogy.
Signature Drink – Averna (bittersweet liqueur enjoyed as an aperitif)
Signature Wine – Nero D’Avola (hearty red wine with strong plum and spice notes)
Signature Dish – Caponata
This vegetarian dish showcases the fresh vegetables and herbs that grow in abundance on the island.
Ingredients:
- 5 cups chopped eggplant cut in ½ inch chunks
- 3T extra virgin olive oil (divided)
- ½ t kosher salt (divided)
- 1 cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped celery
- 1 ⅓ cups green olives sliced in half
- ¼ cup capers, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 5T balsamic or red wine vinegar
- White granulated sugar (approximately 1T) and fresh ground pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Add eggplant, 2 T olive oil and ¼ t salt to a roasting pan. Toss the eggplant to coat, and roast 35-45 minutes until browned, turning once halfway through, and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the remaining T olive oil, the celery, onions, and ¼ t salt and saute until soft, 3-5 minutes. Add the roasted eggplant, olives, capers and tomato sauce and cover. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer 5-8 minutes. Add the vinegar, sugar and pepper and simmer another 2-3 minutes uncovered. Add in fresh basil and stir after removing from heat. The mixture should be fairly thick.
The caponata can be served cold as an appetizer with crusty bread, a salad spooned over lettuce leaves, or rewarmed and served on its own. Can be refrigerated for up to five days. It’s delicious no matter which way you choose!
