MIXED VEGETABLES WITH ANCHOVIES AND OLIVES

Mixed Vegetables with Anchovies and Olives image

Yield Makes 4 main-course or 8 side-dish servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

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2 medium eggplants, trimmed, peeled, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 tablespoon salt
2 medium-size red bell peppers
8 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 onions, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 medium zucchini, trimmed, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
4 medium tomatoes, chopped
3/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 anchovy fillets, drained, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
16 Niçois or Kalamata olives, pitted

Steps:

Place eggplant pieces in large colander set over bowl. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon salt. Let stand 1 hour. Pat eggplant dry with paper towels; set aside. Char peppers over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose in paper bag 10 minutes. Peel and seed peppers; cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips and set aside.
Heat 6 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until light golden, about 10 minutes. Mix in garlic. Add eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, half of parsley, bay leaves, 1 teaspoon pepper, honey, and cumin. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Add bell peppers; cook uncovered 10 minutes longer, stirring occasionally. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Chill. Rewarm before continuing.)
Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in small saucepan over low heat. Add anchovies, oregano, and remaining parsley; stir 1 minute. Add to vegetable mixture. Stir in olives. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature.