Caponata Siciliana

Caponata Also: Sicilian Caponata, Sweet and Sour Eggplant Stew
Fish: Check with staff
Tree Nut: Check with staff
Vegetarian: Check with staff

A Sicilian sweet-and-sour eggplant stew with celery, capers, olives, pine nuts, tomato, and a wine vinegar and sugar dressing. Eaten at room temperature as an antipasto or contorno.

Allergen data cross-referenced against published allergen databases.

Your dietary restrictions

The full allergen breakdown is below. Select your restrictions to see a personalized safety status.

Full allergen breakdown

Ingredients

  • eggplant
  • celery
  • green olives
  • capers
  • tomato
  • pine nuts (Tree Nut)
  • golden raisins
  • red wine vinegar
  • sugar
  • olive oil
  • onion

Hidden Ingredients

These ingredients are not typically listed on menus but are present in traditional preparations.

  • pine nuts are tree nuts
  • some versions add anchovies dissolved into the base (fish)
  • celery is prominent throughout (EU allergen)
  • golden raisins add sweetness but no allergens

Allergen Breakdown

Dairy-Free

Likely OK

No dairy in caponata.

Gluten-Free

Likely OK

No wheat in caponata.

Peanut-Free

Likely OK

No peanuts in caponata.

Tree Nut-Free

Check with staff

Pine nuts are standard in many recipes. Some versions omit or substitute them.

Shellfish-Free

Likely OK

No shellfish in caponata.

Egg-Free

Likely OK

No eggs in caponata.

Fish-Free

Check with staff

Anchovies are dissolved into the base in some authentic recipes. Ask the kitchen.

Soy-Free

Likely OK

No soy in caponata.

Sesame-Free

Likely OK

No sesame in standard Sicilian caponata.

Vegetarian

Check with staff

Most caponata is vegetarian but anchovy-based versions are not. Ask the kitchen.

Key risk: Caponata is a complex dish that can be vegetarian or not, depending on preparation. Pine nuts are standard but some chefs swap or omit them. Anchovies are traditional in some recipes but absent in others. The dish looks like a safe vegetable preparation, but the pine nuts are a tree nut allergen and the possible anchovy is a hidden fish source.

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Important: Dish Scout is a reference guide, not medical advice. Traditional recipes vary by restaurant, region, and chef. Always verify ingredients with restaurant staff before ordering. When in doubt, don't eat it.