PASTA WITH EGGPLANT AND ZUCCHINI

Pasta With Eggplant and Zucchini image

This timeless summer pasta dish was brought to The Times in 1991 by Pierre Franey in one of his 60-Minute Gourmet columns. Like so many of his dishes, it is at once elegant and easy, and no trouble to put together on a weeknight. Sauté the sliced eggplant and zucchini until golden while you make a quick sauce of canned crushed tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and herbs in another pot. Throw everything together, and simmer for about 15 minutes. Toss with cooked pasta and a shower of Parmesan. Dig in.

Provided by Pierre Franey

Categories dinner, easy, pastas, main course

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
4 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 pound eggplant
1/2 pound zucchini
3/4 pound dry pasta, like ziti, fusilli, shells or rigatoni
4 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh basil
4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a saucepan and add the garlic. Cook and stir without browning. Add the tomatoes, parsley, oregano, pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir to blend, bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile cut off the ends of the eggplant and peel. Cut it into 1-inch cubes.
Cut the ends off the zucchini and slice into 1-inch thick slices.
Heat the remaining olive oil in a large skillet. When the oil is very hot, add the eggplant, zucchini, salt and pepper. Cook, tossing, until nicely browned and tender. Add to the tomato sauce. Mix well and cook for 15 minutes.
Drop the pasta into salted boiling water and cook to the desired degree of doneness. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.
Return the pasta to the pot, add the reserved cooking liquid, the vegetable and sauce mixture, basil and Parmesan cheese. Toss and serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 609, UnsaturatedFat 14 grams, Carbohydrate 91 grams, Fat 20 grams, Fiber 12 grams, Protein 22 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 1150 milligrams, Sugar 17 grams