Peperonata

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, toss the peppers with a dash of olive oil and a pinch of salt, coating them evenly. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast, turning the peppers once about halfway through cooking, for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the skins have started to blister and pull away from the flesh. Remove from the oven, place in a bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap until cool enough to handle. Remove the plastic wrap and peel the peppers. The skins should slide right off. Tear the peppers into roughly equal pieces, about ½ inch wide, discarding the stems, seeds and membranes.

2. Step 2

   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Dab the capers dry with a paper towel and add them to the oil. Fry the capers for about a minute, or until they bloom and become crispy. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, until the paste turns brick red. Stir in the onion, fennel, chili flakes and ½ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until the onion and fennel are tender.

3. Step 3

   Deglaze the pan with the vinegar, dislodging any browned bits, and stir in the peppers. Cook for a few minutes, taste for seasoning, and adjust with more salt or vinegar if needed. Can be served warm or stored in a tightly covered container for up to two weeks.