EGGPLANT PASTA TIMBALE

Eggplant Pasta Timbale image

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

2 medium eggplant (about 1 pound each)
salt
olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
8 ounces ground beef
8 ounces Italian pork sausages, skinned and chopped
2 pounds fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped, or 1 (28-ounce) can imported Italian peeled tomatoes, chopped
1 cup fresh or frozen green peas
Freshly ground black pepper
1 pound perciatelli or bucatini pasta
12 ounces mozzarella cheese, chopped
1 cup freshly grated caciocavallo or Pecorino Romano cheese
3 ounces salami, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 hard cooked eggs, sliced

Steps:

1 Cut the eggplant lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick slices. Sprinkle the slices generously with salt and place them in a colander to drain at least 30 minutes. Rinse the slices and blot dry. 2 Heat 1/4-inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the slices a few at a time until lightly browned on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. 3 Pour the oil into a large saucepan. Add the onion and garlic and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add the beef and sausage meat. Cook, stirring often, until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. 4 Add the tomatoes and salt and pepper to taste. Cook on low heat 20 minutes. Add the peas and cook 10 minutes more or until the sauce is thickened. 5 Bring at least 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 2 tablespoons of salt, then the pasta. Stir well. Cook over high heat, stirring frequently, until the pasta is tender but still very firm. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Toss the pasta with the sauce. Let cool 5 minutes. 6 Line a 4-quart ovenproof bowl or baking dish with foil, pressing it smoothly against the sides. Brush the foil with olive oil. Starting in the center of the bowl, arrange half the eggplant slices, overlapping slightly against the inside and reserving a few slices for the top. 7 Add the mozzarella, grated cheese, salami, and basil to the pan with the pasta and toss well. Add half the pasta to the prepared bowl, being careful not to disturb the eggplant. Arrange the egg slices over the pasta. Top with the remaining pasta and the reserved eggplant slices. Press down lightly. 8 Place a rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bake 45 to 60 minutes, or until hot in the center, 140°F measured on an instantread thermometer. (Exact baking time will depend on the diameter of the bowl.) 9 Let the timbale stand 15 minutes. Invert the bowl onto a serving plate. Remove the bowl and gently peel off the foil. Serve immediately. From "1,000 Italian Recipes." Copyright 2004 by Michele Scicolone. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Nutrition Facts : Nutritional Facts Serves