Recipe: Eggplant Antipasto (make ahead, Italian)

EGGPLANT ANTIPASTO

1 large eggplant, peeled and cubed
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
3/4 cup sliced mushrooms
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup sliced stuffed green olives
1 teaspoon salt
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a medium baking dish, mix the eggplant, onion, garlic, green bell pepper, mushrooms and olive oil.

Bake, covered, for 10 minutes in the preheated oven.

Remove the eggplant mixture from the oven and stir in the 1/4 cup water, sliced stuffed green olives, salt, tomato paste, red wine vinegar, sugar, basil, oregano and pepper.

Continue baking 30 minutes, or until the eggplant is tender.

Chill the mixture in the refrigerator 8 hour or overnight before serving.

Makes 6 cups