Pasta alla Norma

by Enrico Forte

I am happy to present you an authentic Sicilian recipe for pasta by a Sicilian guest author. A pasta recipe related to opera!

This is a typical Sicilian Recipe of the city of Catania. Catania is a big Sicilian city established between the Etna Volcano and the Jonian sea.

The recipe's name derives from the "Norma", a popular opera composed by Vincenzo Bellini.

As a typical Mediterranean recipe, it's a "Unique Plate".

It mixes up the healthy benefits of pasta (usually Macaroni) with sheep's cheese (Ricotta) and eggplants.

It's also a low calorie plate, it counts 520-540 kcal per portion.

Ingredients for 6 people:

• Tomato sauce
• Basil
• 3 Eggplants
• 700 gr. of Pasta (Macaroni or Spaghetti)
• Salty sheep's cheese (Ricotta Salata)

Preparation:

1. After having prepared the tomato sauce aromatized with basil, take three beautiful Sicilian eggplants, let them lose their bitter taste, hold them under salt for approximately an hour in a colander, then fry them in hot oil.


2. Boil 700 gr. of pasta, drains and season them with the tomato sauce.


3. In every portion add the minced eggplants and over with the salty cottage cheese.

That's it! Healthy and easy!