Grilled Eggplant Caponata

Preheat the oven to 350°. Put the pine nuts in a pie plate and toast for about 4 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool. Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Brush the eggplant slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over moderately high heat until nicely charred and tender, about 4 minutes per side. Cut the eggplant into 1/2-inch dice. In a large, deep skillet, heat the 1/4 cup of olive oil. Add the diced onion, celery, currants, crushed red pepper and toasted pine nuts and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion and celery are softened, about 10 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, light brown sugar and balsamic vinegar and simmer, stirring a few times, until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 8 minutes. Add the grilled eggplant and the olives to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature, garnished with the chopped mint.