Grilled Vegetable Agrodolce Food

PORK CHOP AGRODOLCE

Steps:

• Combine the vinegar, garlic and thyme in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Continue to simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the honey and simmer until the mixture has thickened slightly, another 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the butter and set aside.
• Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Season the pork chops evenly on both sides with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Drizzle with the olive oil and place on the hot grill pan. Grill the first side until nicely browned, about 5 minutes. Flip the chops and grill for an additional 5 minutes on the second side. Baste the chops with some of the sauce and then continue basting and flipping until the chops are caramelized and slightly charred and the meat registers 150 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove the chops to a platter and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Serve drizzled with the remaining sauce.

CAPONATA "AGRODOLCE" (SWEET AND SOUR)

Steps:

• In a very hot pan, separately cook the vegetables over a medium-high flame with a bit of the olive oil. Cook the onions and the garlic together in the same pan in a little more oil. Set all cooked vegetables aside in a large bowl.
• Make the "agrodolce": Combine vinegar and sugar in a small saucepan and reduce by half over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
• While vegetables are still warm, combine with the roasted peppers, olives, and capers. Pour the "agrodolce" vinegar over the vegetable mixture and toss to coat. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the chopped herbs and marinara sauce and stir.
• Serve the caponata at room temperature.

ZUCCHINI AGRODOLCE

Steps:

• Working in batches, cook 3 sliced zucchini in 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet until golden, 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a platter; season with salt. Discard all but 1 tablespoon oil from the skillet; add 3 crushed garlic cloves and cook until sizzling. Add 1/2 cup white wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook until syrupy, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in 1 small minced Fresno chile. Pour over the zucchini. Top with toasted pine nuts and chopped mint.