Smoked turkey, caponata, and provolone ciabatta sandwich

Name: Smoked turkey, caponata, and provolone ciabatta sandwich
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 750 ml (3 cups) Rao’s caramelized onion tomato sauce 1.25 L (5 cups) eggplant, cut into small cubes 1/2 sliced red onion 375 ml (1 1/2 cups) red bell pepper, cut into small cubes 375 ml (1 1/2 cups) celery, cut into small cubes 1 ml (1/4 tsp) crushed red pepper flakes 125 ml (1/2 cup) red wine vinegar 60 ml (4 tbsp) olive oil 4 ciabatta or panini breads 20 slices (300 g) smoked turkey 8 slices (180 g) provolone cheese 8 olives of choice, sliced (green or Kalamata) Salt Freshly ground black pepper

Prep Time: 25 mins

Total Time: 65 mins

Serves: 4 People

Recipe by Chef Simon Pierre Huneault

Ingredients

750 ml (3 cups) Rao’s caramelized onion tomato sauce
1.25 L (5 cups) eggplant, cut into small cubes
1/2 sliced red onion
375 ml (1 1/2 cups) red bell pepper, cut into small cubes
375 ml (1 1/2 cups) celery, cut into small cubes
1 ml (1/4 tsp) crushed red pepper flakes
125 ml (1/2 cup) red wine vinegar
60 ml (4 tbsp) olive oil
4 ciabatta or panini breads
20 slices (300 g) smoked turkey
8 slices (180 g) provolone cheese
8 olives of choice, sliced (green or Kalamata)
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Make the caponata: In a large, wide skillet, sauté the eggplant for about 5 minutes over high heat with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, seasoning as you go. Set aside in a bowl or plate.
In the same skillet, sauté the red bell pepper, red onion, celery, and red pepper flakes with 2 tablespoons of olive oil for about 5 minutes.
Add the eggplant and olives back into the skillet and deglaze with the red wine vinegar. Stir in the tomato sauce and cook over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, until all the vegetables are tender. Set aside.
Spread the caponata on both sides of the bread. Add the provolone slices on the bottom half of the bread, followed by the smoked turkey slices. Close the sandwich.
Grill the sandwiches in a panini press.
Cut in half and serve hot.

Tips

The caponata recipe pairs wonderfully with your favorite pasta.
Store any leftover caponata in the freezer for future use.
If you don’t have a panini press, microwave the sandwich for one minute, then grill it in a pan with a bit of olive oil.