Pasta alla Norma

Ingredients

• eggplant — cut into 2.5 cm cubes800 g
• extra virgin olive oil — 4 tbsp80 ml
• garlic cloves — finely minced2 ea
• small onion — very finely chopped0.5 ea
• dry white wine60 ml
• tomato passata700 g
• dried Italian herbs1 tsp
• chilli flakes0.5 tsp
• salt — 1 tsp6 g
• black pepper1 tsp
• spaghetti300 g
• fresh basil leaves — roughly chopped15 g
• parmesan — grated, to serve30 g

Method

1. Preheat oven to 240°C / 450°F (220°C fan). Line a tray with baking / parchment paper.
2. Toss eggplant with oil, salt and pepper. Spread on the tray and roast for 20 minutes.
3. Flip, then roast for a further 5 minutes. Cool on tray (this helps the eggplant hold its shape when tossing).
4. Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Start cooking the pasta a couple of minutes after you start making the sauce (next section), until al dente or to your liking.
5. Heat oil in a very large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, cook for 20 seconds until golden, then add onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent and cooked through.
6. Increase heat to medium-high and add wine, if using. Let it simmer, scraping the base of the pan to deglaze, until the wine mostly evaporates.
7. Add tomato passata. Now pour the water into the passata bottle, screw on the lid, shake, and pour that in too (waste nothing!)
8. Add dried herbs, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir and simmer 5 minutes.
9. Stir in eggplant, then add cooked and drained pasta. GENTLY toss until pasta is coated in the sauce (so the eggplant doesn't turn into complete mush!).
10. Serve immediately, garnished with a good pinch of fresh basil and parmesan.