Turn summer produce into a memorable main dish.

Now, Ive learned thatcaponatais a traditional Sicilian appetizer with plenty of variations and influences.

It has a rich history and, like many pervasive Italian recipes, originated as food for the poor.

caponata pasta in a bowl (close up) next to a glass of wine, utensils on the table, and a small bowl of basil, all at a rustic table setting

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

It may have been food for the poor, but the flavor of caponata isrich.

To me, its a delicate balance of all the best elements of Italian cuisine.

I wanted caponata to be the main character and the main meal.

Sicilian caponata pasta in a dutch oven next to a stack of plates, a glass of wine, and a small bowl of basil, all at a rustic table setting

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

So, in classic Italian fashion, I turned it into pasta.

So feel free to play around with the ingredients for this pasta.

I love the sharp and sweet flavor of red onion, but you could easily substitute white or yellow.

caponata pasta in a bowl next to a dutch oven with more pasta a glass of wine, and a small bowl of basil, all at a rustic table setting

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Red wine vinegar can replace the traditional white wine vinegar.

you could also use any fresh Italian herb like parsley or oregano in place of basil.

Pour the mixture over the vegetables and carefully mix until everything is coated.

sliced vegetables in a sheet panfor caponata pasta recipe

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Spread evenly on the pan (some overlap is OK).

Roast the vegetables until mostly tender, 50 minutes.

Remove the pan from the oven and pour the garlic, green olives, and capers onto the vegetables.

measuring cup with marinade for vegetables for caponata pasta recipe

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Use a spatula to mix everything and spread it back out on the pan.

In the meantime, cook the pasta in salted water until al dente according to the instructions.

Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain (but do not rinse).

marinade mixed into the vegetables on the sheet pan for caponata pasta recipe

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Add the cooked pasta back to the pot.

Once the vegetables are done baking, scrape everything from the sheet pan into the pasta pot.

Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste.

garlic, capers, and olives in a measuring cup for caponata pasta recipe

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Add a splash of water before reheating gently.

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garlic, capers, and olives in a sheet pan for caponata pasta recipe

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

roasted vegetables after garlic, capers, and olives were added to the sheet pan for caponata pasta recipe

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

cooked pasta in a dutch oven next to a measuring cup with reserve pasta water for caponata pasta recipe

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

roasted vegetables, basil, and pasta in a dutch oven for caponata pasta recipe

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

sicilian caponata pasta recipe in a dutch oven

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek