Sicilian Eggplant Pasta Delight
Indulge in the exquisite flavors of Sicily with this Sicilian Eggplant Pasta Delight. This vibrant dish features freshly made pasta that beautifully complements the rich and savory elements of tender eggplants, luscious plum tomatoes, and aromatic fresh basil. Topped with a generous sprinkling of grated cheese, each bite is a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, reminiscent of the culinary traditions cherished by Sicilian composer Vincenzo Bellini, after whom this dish is lovingly named. A true masterpiece worthy of any lunch or snack occasion, it's bound to leave everyone craving more.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh pasta
400 g (Use homemade or store-bought fresh pasta.)
Large eggplants
2 (Peeled and sliced lengthwise.)
Sea salt
to taste (For salting the eggplant slices.)
Olive oil
as needed (For frying the eggplant.)
Flour
for dusting (To dust eggplant slices before frying.)
Plum tomatoes
28 ounces (Canned, to be processed into sauce.)
Garlic cloves
2 (Peeled and kept whole for sautéing.)
Extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (For making the sauce.)
Tomato paste
1 tablespoon (Add to the tomato sauce.)
Sugar
2 teaspoons (To balance the acidity of the tomatoes.)
Fresh basil
2 sprigs (To flavor the sauce; leaves should be intact.)
Black pepper
to taste (To season the sauce.)
Cheese (e.g., Parmesan)
1/4-1/2 lb (Grated, for topping the pasta.)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the eggplants: Peel them and cut them lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick slices. If any slices are too long, cut them in half. Generously sprinkle sea salt on each slice and stack them in a shallow dish. Place another dish on top and add a weight (like a can of tomatoes) to help draw out the bitter moisture. Let this sit for at least two hours.
2
After the time has elapsed, rinse the eggplant slices to remove excess salt and pat them dry with paper towels. Heat two inches of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until hot. Dust each eggplant slice lightly with flour before frying. Cook the slices until they achieve a rich golden brown color, then drain them on brown paper towels to absorb excess oil. Keep the fried eggplant warm in a preheated 300°F oven while you prepare the sauce.
3
For the tomato sauce, start by removing the seeds from the canned tomatoes using a food mill or by hand. In a saucepan, heat 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat, sautéing the whole garlic cloves until golden brown; then remove and discard the garlic. Add the processed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, fresh basil, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir well and let this simmer on low heat for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld.
4
Once the sauce is underway and the eggplant is ready, cook the fresh pasta according to package instructions. When the pasta is done, drain it and transfer it to a warm serving bowl. Toss the pasta with a portion of the tomato sauce and half of the grated cheese until well combined.
5
To serve, layer the fried eggplant slices on top of the pasta, drizzling generously with the remaining tomato sauce and sprinkling the rest of the cheese on top. Serve while hot and enjoy this Sicilian delight!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sicilian Eggplant Pasta Delight?
It is a vibrant Sicilian dish featuring fresh pasta, tender fried eggplants, plum tomatoes, fresh basil, and grated cheese, often associated with the composer Vincenzo Bellini.
How do I prepare the eggplants for this recipe?
Peel the eggplants and cut them lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Salt them and let them sit under a weight for two hours to remove bitterness.
Why do I need to salt the eggplant slices?
Salting helps draw out the bitter moisture from the eggplant, ensuring a better flavor and texture after frying.
How long should the eggplant sit with salt?
The eggplant slices should be salted and weighted down for at least two hours.
What is the best way to fry the eggplant?
Heat two inches of olive oil in a skillet, dust the eggplant slices with flour, and fry until they reach a rich golden brown color.
How do I keep the fried eggplant warm?
Keep the fried slices in a preheated 300°F oven on paper towels while you prepare the remaining components of the dish.
How do I prepare the tomato sauce?
Remove seeds from canned plum tomatoes, sauté garlic in olive oil then discard the garlic, and simmer the tomatoes with paste, sugar, and basil.
Do I need to remove the garlic from the sauce?
Yes, the whole garlic cloves should be sautéed until golden brown and then removed and discarded before adding the tomatoes.
How long should the tomato sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer on low heat for approximately 15 to 20 minutes to allow it to thicken and the flavors to meld.
What kind of pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 400 grams of fresh pasta, which can be either homemade or store-bought.
How is the pasta combined with the sauce?
Drain the cooked pasta and toss it with a portion of the tomato sauce and half of the grated cheese before adding the eggplant.
What type of cheese is recommended for this dish?
The recipe suggests using between 1/4 to 1/2 pound of grated cheese, such as Parmesan.
Is this Sicilian eggplant pasta recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this dish is vegetarian as it consists of pasta, vegetables, cheese, and aromatics.
How much sugar is added to the sauce?
Two teaspoons of sugar are added to the sauce to balance the natural acidity of the tomatoes.
How do I serve the Sicilian Eggplant Pasta Delight?
Layer the fried eggplant on top of the sauced pasta, drizzle with extra sauce, and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
What kind of tomatoes should I use?
Use 28 ounces of canned plum tomatoes, which should be processed using a food mill or by hand to remove seeds.
Should the eggplants be peeled?
Yes, the instructions state that the eggplants should be peeled before being sliced.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires two whole garlic cloves for flavoring the olive oil.
What is the purpose of the tomato paste?
One tablespoon of tomato paste is added to the sauce to enhance the depth of flavor and thickness.
How many eggplants does this recipe require?
You will need two large eggplants for this recipe.
What flavor does fresh basil add?
Fresh basil provides an aromatic, herbal note that is essential to the authentic Sicilian flavor profile.
Can I use any type of oil for frying?
The recipe specifies using olive oil for frying the eggplant slices.
What temperature should the oven be to keep items warm?
The oven should be preheated to 300°F (150°C) to keep the fried eggplant warm.
Is the flour necessary for the eggplant?
Yes, dusting the eggplant slices lightly with flour before frying helps achieve a rich golden brown crust.
What is the origin of the dish's name?
The dish is lovingly named after the famous Sicilian composer Vincenzo Bellini, often associated with 'Pasta alla Norma'.
How many sprigs of basil are needed?
The recipe calls for two sprigs of fresh basil to be simmered in the sauce.
Can I use extra virgin olive oil for the sauce?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil to start the tomato sauce.
How much cheese should be used for the topping?
Half of the total cheese amount (which is 1/4 to 1/2 lb total) should be reserved for sprinkling on top at the end.
What should I do if the eggplant slices are too long?
If the lengthwise slices are too long for your pan or serving dish, you can simply cut them in half.
What is the recommended seasoning for the sauce?
The sauce should be seasoned with sea salt and black pepper to taste.