Recipe: Pasta all Norma

I apologize in advance to those who expressed their dislike of eggplant/aubergine when I stuffed them a few weeks ago…because we’re going at the melanzane again today.

For this week’s What’s Cooking Wednesday, we’re pairing them with tomatoes, basil, garlic, onions, and pecorino cheese in Pasta alla Norma, a Sicilian dish whose origins are in dispute (read more here) but always involve Catania‘s own Vincenzo Bellini and one of his most famous operas, “Norma.”

I should probably add an “alla Sognatrice” at the end of the name of this dish because this is my take on the traditional recipe, which includes a kind of cheese called ricotta salata. It’s not all that easy to find, so I substituted pecorino, as did blogging buddy Sara over at Ms Adventures in Italy recently.

Other differences: some recipes call for sliced eggplant, but I prefer it diced, and almost all require you to crumble the ricotta salata cheese–I could’ve done that with the pecorino, I suppose, but I prefer it grated.

You’re free to do as you like of course.

Pasta alla Norma

pasta alla norma

4 small eggplants, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
Salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
Peperoncino to taste
1 can of diced tomatoes
8-10 basil leaves, torn
Spaghetti or penne pasta

Wash and dice eggplant. Place in colander and salt well, being sure to coat all sides (use coarse salt if you have it). Let sit for about a half hour and then remove eggplant from colander and pat dry.Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add eggplant and cook until brown on all sides, about 10 minutes.

Add onion, garlic and peperoncino, and then after a few minutes, add tomatoes. Let simmer for about 15 minutes or until the tomatoes are done to your taste.

In the meantime, prepare pasta in large pot of boiling water.

When sauce is just about finished, add basil, and then combine pasta and sauce–enough to coat the pasta.

Serve immediately with cheese on top.

Buon appetito!

 

37 Beans of Wisdom to “Recipe: Pasta all Norma”
  1. weimie
    10.03.2007

    Yum… looks fab to me!

    I ran across you over at NaBloPoMo, which I signed up for last night. :o) I’m at –
    http://weimiegirl.spaces.live.com

    I lived in Italy for 3 years – LONGGGGG time ago, and love, love, love all things Italian still. I’m going to enjoy looking around your blog!

    Have a great day!
    weimie

  2. Jane
    10.03.2007

    I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the looks of this dish! I think I’ll be making it this weekend! I simply love the freshness and simple ingredients of your dishes!

    Happy Wednesday πŸ™‚

  3. Confessions of Cleopantha
    10.03.2007

    That looks so yummy!! l love melanzane. Have you ever tried the eggplant and chocolate dish?

  4. Michael C
    10.03.2007

    Oh wow do I wish I knew how to cook right about now!

  5. Sara
    10.03.2007

    Yum.

    I never buy eggplant, because my true love won’t eat it and so it just goes to waste in my fridge while I wait to have time to cook it for myself. (sigh) But I can live vicariously through you.

    Viva la melanzane! (Il melanzane? )

  6. KC
    10.03.2007

    That looks delicious, and just in time- I bought a whole mess of eggplants the other day because there was a special. Is it really not easy to find ricotta salata where you are?

  7. Beckie
    10.03.2007

    That looks delicious! Today is the big Delurk…I stop by here quite a bit, but I don’t comment often.

  8. sognatrice
    10.03.2007

    Weimie, nice to see you here! Hope you’re enjoying your look through πŸ™‚

    Jane, simple and fresh are definitely key words around here. Happy Wednesday to you as well πŸ™‚

    Cleopantha, haven’t tried eggplant and chocolate, but considering how much I love them both, well….

    Michael, give it a try! It’s not hard, I promise (and you can always donate any experiments gone *really* awry to local strays or something).

    Sara, la melanzana (one)/le melanzane (two or more). Someday we’ll have to have an eggplant fest….

    KC, I have a bunch more eggplants too–good thing we like them so much!

    As for the ricotta salata, well, it’s not immediately available in the small store in my village, which means I have to go hunting around a bit for it down in the Marina (and most don’t always carry it as it’s not a huge seller). It’s not too, too difficult to find, but it’s definitely not something I’d have on hand for last minute decisions on meals (which is how we make things around here 9 times out of 10).

    Beckie, hello! I didn’t realize it was the Great De-lurk! I need to get on that! Thanks for letting me know (and delurking, although you’ve commented before, I’m sure) πŸ™‚

  9. Sam
    10.03.2007

    Looks great! I am not a fan of eggplant but I am sure I could love it was some pasta, it makes everything better. πŸ˜‰

  10. Beth
    10.03.2007

    Yum! Can’t wait to try this!!

  11. Sara, Ms Adventures in Italy
    10.03.2007

    MMm…eggplant. I think it’s become my favorite vegetable.

  12. Wanderlust Scarlett
    10.03.2007

    Yay!
    Something I could do in the kitchen!
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    pick pretty leaves and stick them in food that someone else cooked!

    WOO HOO!!!

    Scarlett & V.

  13. Figs Olives Wine
    10.03.2007

    Pasta alla Norma is our favorite in this house!!! I’m no eggplant lover, but I defy anyone not to fall in love with pasta alla norma at first bite! We have it with puddles of creamy fresh ricotta here and there rather than the salata – either way, heaven!

  14. Tarie
    10.04.2007

    Have you noticed how I’m always here for “What’s Cooking Wednesday”? Haha. Just call me Miss Piggy. πŸ˜‰ I hate eggplants, but you make them seem yummy. Heehee. Advanced Happy Birthday!!! πŸ™‚

  15. sognatrice
    10.04.2007

    Sam, you’re so right–everything *is* better with pasta!

    Beth, it’s a keeper, trust me πŸ™‚

    Sara, me too, and I can’t believe I never really ate it back in the US…so much lost time to make up!

    Scarlett, yeah! We’ve found you a job! You can also take the photos if you like πŸ™‚

    Amanda, if I can manage to coordinate a day with fresh ricotta *and* eggplants in the house, I’ll definitely try that. Yum!

    Tarie, hey you’re welcome to visit whenever you like–at least there’s always food in the house on Wednesdays πŸ˜‰

  16. Leanne
    10.04.2007

    Stop with the photos! I am starving and I love, love, love pasta norma! I am going to print it now and add it to my ‘bleeding espresso cook book’

  17. sognatrice
    10.04.2007

    Leanne, how fun! When we meet in person, I’ll be sure to autograph it free of charge πŸ˜‰

  18. mymelange
    10.04.2007

    Sognatrice,

    That looks delicious!!! And I love ricotta salata…not as much as ricotta though πŸ˜‰

    xoxo
    Robin

  19. Jen
    10.04.2007

    This looks completely amazing. When I pick up eggplants at the farmer’s market on Saturday, I’m set. And we can get ricotta salata easily around here. It’s an interesting cheese.

  20. nyc/caribbean ragazza
    10.04.2007

    My mom made eggplant dishes all the time. Sometimes my dad would serve it sauted for breakfast. However, for some reason, I never buy it.

    I will try this recipe.

  21. Miss Mrs...a blog of everyday delights
    10.04.2007

    Guess what’s for dinner tonight?! Sounds delicious. I love melanzana!

  22. sognatrice
    10.04.2007

    Robin, welcome back!

    Jen, yeah! Get those eggplants!

    NYC, it’s time to make friends with le melanzane di nuovo πŸ˜‰

    Miss Mrs, buon appetito!

  23. Audra
    10.04.2007

    oh my god… oh my god… it brings me back to my childhood.

    thanks πŸ™‚

  24. BipolarLawyerCook
    10.05.2007

    Looks delicious, despite my non love of eggplant. But that’s what zucchini is for! Enjoying your archives, thanks for stopping by at NaBloPoMo! Looking forward to catching up on your posts.

  25. Erin
    10.05.2007

    That looks fabulous!

  26. Cynthia Rae
    10.05.2007

    That looks wonderful, but do I really have to make it myself? Couldn’t I just come to your house for dinner (or lunch)?

    I could be there in what, eight hours?
    Cyn

  27. sognatrice
    10.05.2007

    Audra, you’re so cute…your childhood was like a few months ago (just kidding, of course, I know what you mean!) πŸ˜‰

    Bipolarlawyercook, happy to see you here! I look forward to catching up with your posts too (and come on, a little eggplant won’t kill you–although I make no guarantees of course) πŸ˜‰

    Erin, thanks!

    Cyndi, so long as you give us an hour notice, it’ll be ready! Ah, and do give us un squillo when you’re about 15 minutes out so we can put the water on for the pasta πŸ˜‰

  28. A Novelist
    10.05.2007

    YUM YUM YUM! I know what I’m making John for dinner this evening… πŸ˜‰

    Thanks for sharing!

  29. beachbungalow8
    10.05.2007

    yum. my mouth is literally watering.

  30. salemhouse
    10.06.2007

    This sounded so good…and it was! I made it tonight for my husband, and loved the zip from the peppers. It’s a keeper!

  31. sognatrice
    10.06.2007

    Novelist, hope John enjoyed it πŸ™‚

    Beachbungalow8, step away from the computer slowly πŸ˜‰

    Salemhouse, yeah! Thanks so much for coming back to let me know!

  32. Emily
    10.15.2007

    My mouth is watering! Yum!

  33. sognatrice
    10.18.2007

    Emily, be careful not to drip on your computer πŸ˜‰

  34. Leslie
    07.29.2012

    This will be on my favorite top ten list! Delish

    michelle Reply:

    One of our faves too, Leslie!

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