Baked Ziti with Eggplant

17/11/2023

Baked Ziti with Eggplant is a delicious dish that combines pasta with the rich flavor of eggplant and the warmth of the oven. Here is the recipe to prepare it with an Italian touch:

Ingredients

400g of ziti or other long pasta
2 medium eggplants
400g of tomato puree
200g of mozzarella (or fiordilatte)
100g of grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves of garlic
Fresh basil
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil for frying

Preparation

Start by washing the eggplants, cut them into slices about half a centimeter thick, then place them in a colander sprinkling them with salt to lose their bitterness. Let them rest for about 30 minutes.
In the meantime, prepare a simple tomato sauce by sautéing the garlic cloves in extra virgin olive oil. Once golden, remove them and add the tomato puree. Season with salt and pepper and cook for about 15-20 minutes on medium-low heat. Add the basil leaves at the end.
Rinse the eggplants to remove excess salt and dry them with paper towels. Fry the eggplants in plenty of oil until they are golden on both sides, then place them on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Cook the ziti (or the pasta you have chosen) in plenty of salted water, draining them very al dente, because they will continue cooking in the oven.
In a baking dish, start layering your dish: put a bit of sauce on the bottom, followed by a layer of pasta, fried eggplants, pieces of mozzarella, and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan. Continue in this way for a few layers, until all the ingredients are used up, making sure to finish with a nice layer of Parmesan.
Bake in an already hot oven at 190°C for about 20-30 minutes, until the surface is golden and crispy.
Let the baked ziti with eggplant rest for a few minutes before serving, so they set and it will be easier to cut portions.

Fun Fact

Eggplants were introduced to Italian cuisine around the 14th century but only became popular in relatively recent times. In the past, it was believed they were harmful and could cause ‘eggplant disease,’ or madness. Fortunately, today we know that not only are they harmless, but also delicious when cooked well!