Caponata Picnic Sandwiches

Thanks for dinner Saturday, Giada! I took your idea, tinkered with it, y'know, add bacon, drop the capers, easy on the celery stalk, no raisins, but added zucchini. I'm all about doing it again, so very tasty. Oh! so tasty...

Ingredients

* 1/4 cup olive oil
* 1 celery stalk, chopped
* 1 medium eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
* Salt
* 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 1(14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes
* 3 tablespoons raisins
* 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
* Freshly ground black pepper
* 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
* 2 teaspoons sugar
* 1 tablespoon drained capers
* 1 loaf ciabatta bread, cut crosswise into 6 equal pieces
* 2 garlic cloves, peeled
* 6 slices (1/3-inch-thick) drained fresh water-packed mozzarella

Directions

Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the celery and saute until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Add the eggplant and saute until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Season with salt. Add the red pepper and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and saute until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, raisins, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer over medium-low heat until the flavors blend and the mixture thickens, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Add the vinegar, sugar, and capers. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Cut the bread pieces horizontally in half. Grill the bread cut-side down on a grill pan over medium-high heat until golden, about 2 minutes. Rub the whole garlic cloves over the toasted side of the bread. Add a slice of mozzarella to bread bottom, spoon the caponata on top, cover with the other bread half, and serve.

To take for a picnic: Wrap the sandwiches separately in plastic wrap or parchment paper. Chill until ready to serve, or keep at room temperature up to 1 hour.