RIGATONI WITH ROASTED EGGPLANT PUREE

Rigatoni With Roasted Eggplant Puree image

Provided by Grace Lynn

Time 1h20m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 1/4-2 1/2 lbs eggplants
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
fine sea salt
fresh ground black pepper
1/2 cup coarsely chopped flat leaf parsley
2 tablespoons pine nuts
1 garlic clove, roughly chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 lb rigatoni pasta
freshly grated grana padano or pecorino toscano cheese

Steps:

Heat oven to 400 degrees with rack in the middle. Linea baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut eggplants in half lengthwise and score flesh sides in a crosshatch pattern with a small sharp knife. Brush with 1 tablespoon of oil and season with generous pinch of salt and pepper. Arrange eggplant cut-side down on prepared baking sheet and bake, rotating pan once halfway through, until tender. About 45 to 50 minutes.
Transfer baking sheet with roasted eggplant to wire rack. Turn eggplant halves cut-side up; let cool 5 minutes, then scrape eggplant flesh from skins; discard skins. Place flesh in a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl; let drain 10 minutes. Discard liquid.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
In center of cutting board, mound parsley, pine nuts, garlic and oregano; finely chop mixture together.
In a large skillet, heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add parsley mixture, reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, 3 minutes. Stir in eggplant and cook 1 minute more. Remove skillet from heat.
Cook pasta in the boiling water until al dente; drain and transfer to a large serving bowl. Add eggplant mixture and cheese; toss to combine well. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 650.9, Fat 22, SaturatedFat 3.5, Cholesterol 95.8, Sodium 33.8, Carbohydrate 97.2, Fiber 12.9, Sugar 8.4, Protein 19.6