Eggplant Caponata Pasta Salad (Vegan)

• Eggplant Caponata
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, medium dice (1/2" x 1/2")
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 3 tablespoons zante currants
• 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
• 2 medium eggplants, medium dice (1/2" x 1/2")
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 tsp. dried
• 1/4 cup basic tomato sauce, recipe follows
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup parsley, minced , for garnish
• 16 ounces spiral pasta, cooked
• Basic Tomato Sauce
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, small dice (1/4" x 1/4")
• 4 garlic cloves, sliced thin
• 3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 tbsp. dried
• 1/2 medium carrot, grated
• 2 28 oz. can peeled tomatoes, crush by hand and juices reserved
• salt, to taste

1. Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium heat, until hot but not smoking. Add the onions, pine nuts, currants and chili flakes and saute for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
2. Add the eggplant, sugar, cinnamon, and cocoa and continue to cook for 5 more minutes. Add the thyme, tomato sauce, and balsamic vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil.
3. Lower the heat and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature, garnish with mint and chili flakes. Serve the caponata spooned on crostini or in middle of table with crostini on side to allow guests to help themselves
4. In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil or stock over medium heat.
5. Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft and light golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes.
6. Add the thyme and carrot and cook 5 minutes more, until the carrot is quite soft.
7. Add the tomatoes and juice and bring to a boil, stirring often.
8. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes until as thick as hot cereal. Season with salt and serve.
9. This sauce holds 1 week in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer.

eggplant caponata, extra virgin olive oil, yellow onion, pine nuts, zante currants, red pepper, eggplants, sugar, ground cinnamon, cocoa, thyme, tomato sauce, balsamic vinegar, salt, parsley, spiral pasta, tomato sauce, extra virgin olive oil, yellow onion, garlic, thyme, carrot, tomatoes, salt

Taken from food52.com/recipes/10516-eggplant-caponata-pasta-salad-vegan (may not work)