Pasta salad with eggplant and sun-dried tomatoes

Pasta salad with eggplant and sun-dried tomatoes is a fresh and tasty dish, ideal for summer. Here is the recipe with an Italian twist.

Ingredients

• 320 g of short pasta (such as farfalle or penne)
• 2 medium eggplants
• 100 g of sun-dried tomatoes in oil
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 50 g of pine nuts
• A bunch of fresh basil
• 80 g of salted ricotta or feta, as preferred
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Wash the eggplants, remove the ends, and cut them into cubes. Salt the cubes and let them drain in a colander for about 20-30 minutes to remove bitterness.
2. Meanwhile, boil water for the pasta and cook it al dente following the instructions on the package. Drain and cool it by running under cold water, then let it drain well.
3. In a pan, heat a drizzle of oil and a clove of garlic. Add the well-dried eggplant cubes and cook until golden over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
4. Once the eggplants are golden, remove the garlic and add the sun-dried tomatoes cut into strips. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
5. In a separate pan, toast the pine nuts over low heat until golden, making sure not to burn them.
6. In a large bowl, mix the pasta with the eggplants and sun-dried tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, and hand-torn basil leaves. Season with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste.
7. Finally, sprinkle with crumbled salted ricotta or feta and serve the pasta salad at room temperature or chilled from the refrigerator.

This salad is perfect for a summer lunch or an outdoor picnic. The addition of toasted pine nuts will add crunch to the dish, and the fresh basil will enhance its aroma. The salted ricotta adds a unique savory touch, but if you prefer a milder flavor, feta is an excellent alternative.

Trivia

Sun-dried tomatoes are a traditional preserve from the southern region of Italy, particularly Puglia. They are sun-dried and then stored in oil or au naturel. They are a versatile ingredient that can enrich many dishes with their intense and slightly sweet-sour taste.