Sicilian Pasta alla Norma with Fried Eggplant
This Pasta alla Norma recipe is a testament to the simplicity of Sicilian cooking. A pasta dish made with a rich tomato sauce and creamy fried eggplant is topped with fresh basil and ricotta salata! It doesn't get any better then this!
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Ingredients
- 1 lb Rigatoni Pasta
- ½ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Eggplant, medium to large sliced into strips
- 28 oz Canned Whole Tomatoes
- 2 sprigs Fresh Basil plus more for serving
- 3 cloves Garlic chopped
- ½ cup Ricotta Salata grated, plus more for passing at the table
- 1 tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Cut the eggplant into 1/2" thick slices. Heat olive oil in a large skillet and add a single layer of eggplant. Working in batches, cook it for 3-4 minutes over medium heat until it is golden brown, turn it and cook until it is browned on all sides. You will need to add more oil as the eggplant absorbs it. Transfer the cooked eggplant to a paper towel-lined dish.
- Using the same skillet you cooked the eggplant in. Sauté the garlic until it is fragrant, about 30 seconds, and add the crushed tomatoes. Add two sprigs of fresh basil and season with salt and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes or until it starts to thicken. Continue to simmer the sauce while the pasta cooks.
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add enough salt to the water so that it is salty like a broth but not too salty. Add the pasta and cook following the package directions.
- When the pasta is al dente, use a strainer or a spider to transfer it to the skillet and reserve a cup of pasta cooking water. Stir to coat the pasta completely, adding a little pasta water if the sauce is too thick. Stir in the fried eggplant.Top the pasta with torn basil leaves and grated ricotta salata. Pass more cheese for grating at the table.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingsCalories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 67gProtein: 14gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 601mgPotassium: 623mgFiber: 6gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 111mgIron: 3mg
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