California Recipes

Caponata, the popular Sicilian appetizer, is often served at room temperature on toasted croutons. Traditionally it includes tomatoes, eggplant, onions, and capers to produce a pronounced sweet-and-sour taste. In this California version there's no tomato; roasted eggplant is paired with sweet onion and California blue cheese or pungent Italian Gorgonzola to become a fragrant, warm spread for crisp toasts or warm French bread.

You could probably use sun dried tomatoes (moistened of course) instead of roasted peppers...

For ice cream, steamed pudding or gingerbread, served hot or cold. Recipe does not say unripe walnuts.

This savory and elegant dish is a breeze if you prep most of the components in advance. With appealing contrast in color and texture, California fresh asparagus and mushroom make a tasty filling and this recipe can be served as starter, entrée or even for breakfast.

Recipe by the Honorable David L. Hobson