EGGPLANT SPAGHETTI RECIPE - (4.5/5)

Eggplant Spaghetti Recipe - (4.5/5) image

Provided by vegielover

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 medium to large eggplant
Salt
Vegetable oil, enough to come 1/2" up the side of the pan (I use less!)
1/2 cup onion, thinly sliced
1-1/2 tsp chopped garlic
2 cups imported canned Italian plum tomatoes, drained and cut into thin strips without their juice (in summer I use fresh tomatoes)
Freshly ground pepper
1 pound spaghetti (or other pasta that you like)
3 Tbs. grated mild pecorino romano cheese
3 Tbs. fresh ricotta
8-10 fresh basil leaves, cut into chiffonade. If out of season, use 2 Tbs. chopped parsley
Freshly ground Parmesan for the table

Steps:

Peel the eggplant (I don't!) and cut into cubes of about 1/2". Put in a bowl and toss with a handful of salt. Let it sit for about an hour, then drain off the liquid, rinse well and pat dry with paper toweling. Heat the oil in the pan and fry the eggplant until it is golden. Remove the eggplant with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl lined with paper towels to absorb the oil. Discard all but enough of the remaining oil to sauté the onions. Bring the water for the spaghetti to a boil and cook according to the package directions. While the pasta is cooking, sauté the onions and garlic until onions are translucent. Return the eggplant to the pan along with the tomatoes, romano cheese (if using), and ricotta (or substitute). Season with pepper. Cook until the ricotta is melded with the vegetables. Drain the pasta. Serve on individual plates with the eggplant mixture spooned over it. Top with chiffonade of basil and pass the Parmesan cheese around the table, if desired.