Enjoy fresh fall flavours
As summer winds down, a new palette of Ontario produce arrives, featuring rich purple eggplant, red roma tomatoes and bright orange sweet potatoes and pumpkins, to name a few. All ready to pair with local staples and fresh herbs for delicious fall dinners.
When guests arrive, invite them to enjoy an antipasto board filled with crackers, breadsticks, cheese, deli meats and Eggplant and Mint Relish, a delicious condiment with the fresh, tangy flavours of Sicily.
Eggplant Mint Relish
This eggplant, tomato and mint relish is a great way to add variety to your antipasto platter. The eggplant lends a velvety, rich texture, which is balanced perfectly by the sweet tomatoes and mint. It’s also delicious tossed with your favourite pasta.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Makes 5 cups (1.25 L)
1 Ontario Eggplant (about 1-1/2 lb/750 g)
1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
1/4 tsp (1 mL) crushed red pepper flakes
2 cloves Ontario Garlic, minced
1/4 tsp (1 mL) each salt and pepper
10 sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, finely chopped
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) seeded, diced Ontario Roma Tomatoes
1/2 cup (125 mL) diced Ontario Red Onion
1/4 cup (50 mL) fresh Ontario Mint Leaves, finely chopped
1/4 cup (50 mL) olive oil
3 tbsp (45 mL) toasted pine nuts
2 tbsp (25 mL) capers, finely chopped
1 tsp (5 mL) grated lemon rind
3 tbsp (45 mL) fresh lemon juice
Slice eggplant into 1/2-inch (1 cm) rounds. Bring large pot of water to boil. Place eggplant rounds in boiling water, return to boil and cook until tender, about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain, cool and dice eggplant.
In large skillet, over medium heat, combine oil, red pepper flakes and garlic; cook for 1 minute. Add eggplant, salt and pepper; cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Transfer eggplant to medium bowl; let cool completely. Add sun-dried tomatoes, tomatoes, onion, mint, oil, pine nuts, capers, lemon rind and juice; stir well to combine. Store in airtight container in refrigerator until ready to use.
Nutritional Information:
1 Serving (1 tbsp/15 mL):
PROTEIN: 0 grams
FAT: 1 gram
CARBOHYDRATE: 1 gram
CALORIES: 15
FIBRE: 0 grams
SODIUM: 30 mg
– Printed with permission from Foodland Ontario
