Caponata-Stuffed Eggplant Boats with Fresh Mozzarella

Caponata-Stuffed Eggplant Boats with Fresh Mozzarella

Mia

This stunning vegetarian dish transforms humble eggplants into elegant edible vessels brimming with the bold, complex flavors of caponata—Sicily's beloved sweet-and-sour vegetable medley. Each eggplant half is roasted until tender, then generously filled with a vibrant mixture of tomatoes, celery, capers, olives, and a hint of sweetness from raisins and vinegar. Topped with creamy fresh mozzarella that melts into golden, bubbly perfection, these boats deliver comfort and sophistication in every bite.

Caponata is a cornerstone of Sicilian cuisine, traditionally served as an antipasto or side dish, but here it takes center stage as a hearty main course. The combination of tangy capers, briny olives, and sweet-tart tomato sauce creates a flavor profile that's quintessentially Mediterranean. The roasted eggplant flesh becomes silky and mild, providing the perfect canvas for the bold filling while adding substantial texture.

This recipe embodies the Mediterranean Diet's emphasis on vegetables, heart-healthy olive oil, and fresh ingredients. It's a celebration of produce at its finest, requiring no meat to feel satisfying and complete. The fresh mozzarella adds just enough richness and protein without overwhelming the dish's vegetable-forward nature.

Perfect for a weeknight dinner or elegant enough for entertaining, these stuffed eggplant boats can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving. They pair beautifully with crusty whole-grain bread and a simple arugula salad, making for a complete Mediterranean meal that's as nourishing as it is delicious.

Nutrition

1 hour 15 minutes
None servings
385 calories
Fat 22.00g
Carbs 38.00g
Protein 14.00g

Ingredients

2 wholelarge eggplants, halved lengthwise
5 tbspextra virgin olive oil, divided
1 tspsalt, divided
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground, divided
1 mediumyellow onion, diced
2 wholecelery stalks, diced
3 wholegarlic cloves, minced
1 can (14 oz)crushed tomatoes
2 tbsptomato paste
1/3 cupgreen olives, pitted and chopped
3 tbspcapers, drained
3 tbspgolden raisins
2 tbspred wine vinegar
1 tspsugar
1/4 cupfresh basil, chopped
8 ozfresh mozzarella, torn into pieces
2 tbsppine nuts, toasted (optional)
2 tbspfresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
Parchment paper
spoon
measuring cups and spoons
large baking sheet
pastry brush
large skillet
sharp knife

80/20 Diet

This recipe delivers well over 80% nutrient-dense whole foods including eggplant, tomatoes, celery, olives, capers, and fresh mozzarella, with only minimal processed components. The emphasis on vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh ingredients aligns perfectly with the 80/20 principle of prioritizing nutritious whole foods.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with whole, minimally processed ingredients including fresh vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh mozzarella. It avoids refined sugars, artificial ingredients, and processed foods, using only recognizable whole-food ingredients prepared with simple cooking methods.

Flexitarian Diet

This plant-forward recipe emphasizes vegetables as the main components (eggplant, tomatoes, celery, olives) with dairy used as a supporting ingredient rather than the focus. It's a satisfying meatless meal that showcases how delicious and complete vegetable-based dishes can be while still including modest amounts of cheese.

Gluten-Free Diet

This naturally gluten-free recipe contains no wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing ingredients. All components—eggplant, vegetables, tomatoes, olives, capers, fresh mozzarella, and pine nuts—are inherently gluten-free, making it safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This heart-healthy recipe features extra virgin olive oil as the primary fat source, abundant vegetables rich in fiber and antioxidants, and moderate amounts of fresh mozzarella. It's naturally low in saturated fat, contains no processed meats, and emphasizes Mediterranean ingredients known for cardiovascular protection.

Intuitive Eating

This satisfying recipe honors both nutrition and pleasure, featuring flavorful Mediterranean ingredients that provide genuine satisfaction without restriction or guilt. It balances vegetables, healthy fats, and protein in a way that respects hunger cues and food enjoyment.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe is a quintessential Mediterranean dish featuring extra virgin olive oil, abundant vegetables (eggplant, tomatoes, celery), heart-healthy ingredients like olives and capers, and moderate amounts of fresh mozzarella. It emphasizes plant-based ingredients with minimal processing, uses herbs for flavoring, and includes traditional Mediterranean components like pine nuts and basil.

Mindful Eating

This visually stunning dish engages multiple senses with varied textures (creamy mozzarella, tender eggplant, crunchy pine nuts), vibrant colors, and complex sweet-and-sour flavors that encourage slow, conscious eating. The whole, minimally processed ingredients and aromatic herbs promote sensory appreciation and awareness during the meal.

Vegetarian Diet

This completely vegetarian recipe provides protein from fresh mozzarella and pine nuts while centering on vegetables like eggplant, tomatoes, and celery. It contains no meat, poultry, fish, or seafood, making it ideal for lacto-ovo vegetarians who include dairy in their diet.

Instructions

1

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2 min
2

Score the flesh of each eggplant half in a crosshatch pattern, cutting about 1/2 inch deep without piercing the skin.

3 min
3

Brush the cut sides of the eggplant halves with 3 tablespoons of olive oil and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

2 min
4

Place eggplant halves cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 30-35 minutes until very tender and the flesh is easily pierced with a fork.

35 min
5

While the eggplant roasts, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.

2 min
6
7 min

Add the diced onion and celery to the skillet and sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.

7
1 min

Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.

8

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, olives, capers, raisins, red wine vinegar, sugar, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

1 min
9
15 min

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer the caponata for 12-15 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.

10

Remove the caponata from heat and stir in the chopped fresh basil.

11

Remove the roasted eggplants from the oven and carefully flip them cut-side up. Using a spoon, gently scoop out some of the center flesh, leaving about 1/2 inch border to create a boat shape.

3 min
12

Roughly chop the scooped eggplant flesh and stir it into the caponata mixture.

2 min
13

Divide the caponata mixture evenly among the four eggplant boats, mounding it generously in each cavity.

2 min
14

Top each stuffed eggplant boat with torn pieces of fresh mozzarella, distributing evenly.

1 min
15

Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until the mozzarella is melted and lightly golden.

15 min
16

Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley if desired before serving.

5 min

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