Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Ciaki Ciuka from Pantelleria: A Mediterranean Vegetable Bake with Island Soul
A vibrant Pantescan vegetable bake with aubergines, potatoes, capers and almonds - a colourful taste of sun-soaked Pantelleria.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 2 onions
- ✓ 2 aubergines
- ✓ 500 g potatoes
- ✓ 50 g salted Pantelleria capers
- ✓ 700 g ripe tomatoes
- ✓ 4 carrots
- ✓ 4 courgettes
- ✓ 60 g almonds
- ✓ Breadcrumbs
- ✓ Extra-virgin olive oil
- ✓ Salt
- ✓ Oregano
- ✓ A handful of fresh basil
📊 Nutritional Information
Few dishes embody the spirit of Pantelleria quite like ciaki ciuka - a name with Arab roots meaning “a mixture”, perfectly capturing the island’s fusion of cultures and flavours. This beautiful medley of summer vegetables is first gently stewed, then baked until lightly crisp on top, creating a dish that is both rustic and deeply aromatic.
Aubergines, potatoes, courgettes, tomatoes and sweet onions come together with Pantescan capers - the island’s most iconic ingredient - plus toasted almonds for a subtle crunch. The result is a warm, sun-soaked celebration of Mediterranean produce, perfect as a side dish or a light summer meal.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Wash and chop all the vegetables into medium-sized pieces.
- 2
Rinse the salted capers by soaking them in warm water for 15 minutes, then drain thoroughly.
- 3
In a large casserole, sauté the sliced onions in plenty of olive oil until golden.
- 4
Add the aubergines, potatoes, carrots, courgettes and tomatoes. Season with salt, cover, and cook gently for about 20 minutes.
- 5
Stir in the capers, chopped basil and oregano, then transfer the mixture to a baking tray.
- 6
Sprinkle generously with breadcrumbs and toasted, chopped almonds.
- 7
Bake at 200°C for about 20 minutes, until the top is crisp and fragrant.
- 8
Serve warm as a side dish, or at room temperature as a light summer main.
💡 Tips and Variations
Add diced peppers or black olives for an extra Mediterranean twist.
For a lighter version, skip the oven step and simply continue cooking on the hob for 10 more minutes.
📦 Storage
- • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 4–5 days.
- • Delicious served cold as an antipasto or with toasted bread.
🍷 Pairing
Pair ciaki ciuka with a glass of Contea di Sclafani Novello, a fresh, aromatic Sicilian red that enhances the natural sweetness of the vegetables.
Ciaki ciuka is a colourful celebration of Pantelleria’s heritage - simple, wholesome and steeped in history. Whether served warm or cool, it captures the island’s unmistakable Mediterranean charm in every bite.
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