Pasta Alla Norma Sorta

Ingredients
  

  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • 10 ounces mezzi rigatoni or rigatoni
  • 1-½ pounds eggplant, unpeeled, cut into ½-inch pieces
  • ¼ cup plus, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 3 ounces prosciutto, roughly chopped into 1-inch to 1-½-inch pieces
  • 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced into rings
  • 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 Fresno or serrano chili, seeded, if you like, and thinly sliced into rings
  • 1-½ pounds cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes and juice
  • 4 ounces fresh mozzarella, finely chopped
  • 1 cup fresh herbs, such as basil and mint, roughly chopped 
  • Flaky salt, for serving, optional

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oven to 425°F.
  • On a large rimmed sheet pan, toss the eggplant with 1/4 cup olive oil and season well with salt and pepper.
  • Spread everything evenly in one layer and roast until golden, 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even browning.
  • While the eggplant roasts, using a deep, 12-inch skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add the prosciutto and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to crisp and brown in spots; 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Remove from skillet and place on a paper towel-lined plate.
  • Add the shallot, garlic and chili to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until the shallot has softened and the garlic is fragrant; about 2 minutes.
  • Add the cherry tomatoes and cook until they start to burst; pressing the tomatoes gently down with the back of a spatula or wooden spoon to help them along; 5 to 7 minutes; collapse some and allow some to maintain their structure.
  • Stir in the diced tomatoes, with their juices, and season with salt and pepper.
  • Simmer while the eggplant finishes roasting; about 15 minutes more.
  • If the sauce appears dry, add 1/4 cup pasta water.
  • While making the sauce, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.
  • Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
  • Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain pasta.
  • When the eggplant is done, add it to the tomato sauce and stir to combine.
  • Add the pasta and toss until everything is well coated with sauce, adding more pasta water if needed.
  • Stir in the mozzarella and toss until it begins to melt.
  • Serve in the skillet or in bowls and top each portion with crispy prosciutto and fresh herbs.
  • Season with flaky salt, if using.
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