In the vibrant streets of Catania, Sicily, where culinary traditions are held dear, there exists a dish that embodies the essence of Sicilian cuisine: Pasta alla Norma. This iconic pasta dish has captured the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide with its harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
Pasta alla Norma is a symphony of simple yet bold ingredients, each contributing to its unique charm. The foundation of the dish lies in the pasta, typically rigatoni or penne, cooked al dente to maintain a slight bite. The rich tomato sauce, prepared with fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil, provides a savory and aromatic base. The crowning glory of the dish is the addition of fried eggplant, cut into strips and cooked until golden brown, adding a delightful crunch and smoky flavor.
To complete this culinary masterpiece, generous shavings of ricotta salata, a salty and flavorful sheep's milk cheese, are sprinkled on top, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. The final touch comes in the form of fresh basil leaves, adding a burst of herbal freshness.
Pasta alla Norma is a testament to the culinary heritage of Sicily, where fresh, seasonal ingredients are celebrated and transformed into dishes that embody both simplicity and sophistication. This article presents three variations of Pasta alla Norma, each offering a unique twist on the classic recipe. From the traditional version to a vegetarian alternative and a modern interpretation with a spicy twist, these recipes cater to diverse tastes and preferences.
Embark on a culinary journey through the heart of Sicily with these Pasta alla Norma recipes, and discover why this dish has become a beloved symbol of Italian cuisine around the world.
PASTA ALLA NORMA: NORMA'S PASTA
Provided by Food Network
Time 1h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cook the penne in a pot of boiling salted water. Stir to prevent the pasta from sticking together. While the pasta is cooking, make the sauce.
- To make the sauce: In a saucepan, heat up 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Gently saute the chopped onions until tender, then add the plum tomatoes and liquid from the can. With the back of a wooden spoon, break up the tomatoes into little chunks. Season the sauce with salt, and pepper, to taste. Cook the tomato sauce for a few minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
- In another pan, heat olive oil and fry the eggplant cubes until golden.
- Drain the eggplant cubes on a paper towel to remove the excess oil. Drain the pasta approximately 2 minutes before the 'al dente' stage and add the pasta to the saucepan. Finish cooking the pasta in the sauce. Add the fried eggplant, basil leaves and sprinkle with ricotta salata. Mix the ingredients together well in the saucepan so that the pasta and the sauce are well amalgamated or combined. Be careful not to overcook the pasta. Transfer the pasta to a warm serving bowl or divide the pasta among warm plates and sprinkle extra ricotta salata on top and serve immediately.
PASTA ALLA NORMA
This traditional Sicilian pasta dish of sautéed eggplant tossed with tomato sauce and topped with ricotta salata makes for a satisfying vegetarian dinner, and it can be thrown together in under an hour.
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories dinner, easy, lunch, pastas, main course
Time 45m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Slice the eggplant about 1/2 inch thick. Cook in abundant olive oil, without crowding, sprinkling with salt and adding more oil as needed. You will undoubtedly have to cook in batches; take your time and cook until the eggplant is nicely browned and soft. Remove to a plate; do not drain on paper towels. Meanwhile, put a large pot of water to boil and salt it.
- At the end of the cooking the eggplant, the pan will ideally have a couple of tablespoons of oil left. If there's more or less, drain some off or add a bit. Turn the heat to medium, add the garlic and chiles, and cook until the garlic colors a little bit. Add the tomatoes and oregano, along with some salt and pepper; cook until saucy but not too dry, stirring occasionally.
- Cook the pasta until tender but not mushy. While it's cooking, cut the eggplant into strips and reheat for a minute in the tomato sauce. Drain the pasta and toss it with the tomato sauce and the eggplant. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then top with the parsley or basil and grated cheese and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 418, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 70 grams, Fat 9 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 16 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 757 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams
PASTA ALLA NORMA
Try this easy version of an alla norma, which uses roast aubergine instead of fried. It's then tossed with spaghetti and a rich tomato and basil sauce
Provided by Esther Clark
Categories Dinner
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Toss the aubergines with the salt, then tip into a colander set over a bowl for 30 mins, to extract any moisture.
- Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a casserole dish or saucepan. Tip in the onion and a pinch of salt, and cook over a low heat for 10 mins. Add the garlic and chilli, and cook for 1 min. Tip in the tomatoes and sugar, and bring to the simmer. Cook, uncovered, for 20 mins, stirring occasionally. Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7.
- Pat the aubergine dry with kitchen paper, then toss with the remaining oil. Spread out on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 mins until softened and golden around the edges. Meanwhile, cook the pasta following pack instructions, reserving 100ml of the cooking water.
- Stir the aubergine into the sauce with the basil and capers. Season to taste, then toss the spaghetti in the pan with the sauce and a splash of the pasta water. Divide between four bowls and top with the ricotta and extra basil, if using.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 517 calories, Fat 13 grams fat, SaturatedFat 2 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 79 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 15 grams sugar, Fiber 10 grams fiber, Protein 15 grams protein, Sodium 1.7 milligram of sodium
CLASSIC PASTA ALLA NORMA
This is down-home, primal Sicilian cooking, using inexpensive and commonly available ingredients: olive oil, eggplant, tomato and pasta. A showering of grated ricotta salata and toasted bread crumbs adorns this humble yet justly famous dish. The Sicilian composer Vincenzo Bellini adored it with such a passion that it was eventually named after his 19th-century opera "Norma" - or so goes the story.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories dinner, lunch, pastas, main course
Time 30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Make a quick tomato sauce: Put 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in garlic, red pepper and basil leaves and cook for 1 minute. Add tomatoes, stir and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and let sauce simmer gently for 20 minutes, until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning. Set aside. (Sauce may be prepared up to 2 days in advance.)
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Turn heat to low and cover pot until it's time to cook the pasta.
- Put a wide cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add 4 tablespoons olive oil to coat surface of pan. When oil is wavy, test by adding a cube of eggplant. It should begin to sizzle and brown immediately. Fill the pan with a single layer of eggplant cubes. Turn eggplant with a spatula or tongs and brown nicely on all sides. Lower heat as necessary to maintain an even temperature; if the pan is too hot, the eggplant will burn.
- Remove cooked eggplant to a plate and continue to fry remaining eggplant in batches, adding more oil as necessary. Season finished eggplant with salt and pepper. (Alternatively, roast the eggplant on a baking sheet at 400 degrees, lightly drizzled with oil, until cooked and nicely browned, about 20 minutes.)
- To assemble and serve, boil pasta until al dente, leaving it a little firmer than normal. Bring the tomato sauce to a simmer. Add eggplant to sauce and gently stir to combine. Reserve a cup of pasta cooking water, then drain pasta and add to sauce. Using 2 wooden spoons or tongs, toss pasta and sauce, and let cook 1 minute more. Thin sauce if necessary with a little pasta cooking water.
- Transfer to a warmed wide pasta bowl. Sprinkle with grated ricotta salata and bread crumbs. Garnish with torn or whole basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 474, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 74 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 18 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 909 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams
Tips:
- Choose high-quality eggplant for the best flavor and texture. Look for eggplants that are firm, smooth, and free of blemishes.
- Cut the eggplant into uniform cubes so that they cook evenly.
- Soak the eggplant cubes in salted water for 30 minutes to remove any bitterness. This step is optional, but it can help to improve the flavor of the eggplant.
- Fry the eggplant cubes in hot oil until they are golden brown and crispy. This will help to develop their flavor and texture.
- Use a good quality tomato sauce for the pasta. You can either make your own or use a store-bought sauce.
- Add plenty of fresh basil to the pasta for a burst of flavor.
- Serve the pasta immediately with grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Conclusion:
Pasta alla Norma is a classic Italian dish that is easy to make and delicious to eat. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients, so you can customize it to your own taste. Whether you are a vegetarian or a meat-lover, there is a Pasta alla Norma recipe that is perfect for you. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give Pasta alla Norma a try. You won't be disappointed!
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