Pasta alla Siciliana -- Pasta Sicilian Style

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 tsp. red pepper, crushed
1 lb. eggplant, cubed
1 can (28 oz.) plum tomatoes
10 anchovy filets in oil, mashed
2 tbsp. capers
1/3 cup black olives, oil cured, pitted and chopped
1 lb. bucatini
1/2 cup flat leaved parsley, chopped
1/2 cup Pecorino-Romano Cheese, grated

Directions:

Prepare the Bucatini al dente (according to package directions); drain well.

While pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, along with the garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. When heated, add the eggplant cubes and saute over relatively high heat until golden brown and tender, about 8-10 minutes.

Add the whole can of tomatoes, with all the juices. Break up the large pieces of tomato with a spoon as the sauce cooks. Add the mashed anchovy fillets along with the capers and olive pieces. Reduce heat and cook for about 10 more minutes.

When pasta is drained, return to the pasta pot and add the sauce and the parsley. Toss well. Turn out onto a large serving bowl and top with grated Pecorino Romano cheese. Serve immediately.

Comments from djplam :

This is a truly Sicilian dish . . . The capers, raisins, anchovies, eggplant, all coming together in a lightly tomato based sauce . . . the addition of the olives, oil cured makes the dish that much more special. Haven’t heard of oil cured olives? Most good Italian Delis will have them. They are the very wrinkled black olives. As a kid I grew up calling them “Sicilian Olives” as did most of the kids in our neigh-borhood. Hey, the entire neighborhood was Sicilian . . . Oh yeah, we did have one Irish family too!

* Bucatini is a long thick spaghetti like pasta, bigger around and with a hole in the center like a straw. It can be found in most Italian specialty stores.

Taken from my cookbook: The "Old Country" Italian Cookbook, by Donald J.P. La Marca

User Reviews:

This recipe is verrryy delish~! One of my favorite recipes here on foodgeeks as far as pasta is concerned~I use cilantro instead of the flat leaved parsely for a different flavor~either way...mmm mm good~!

Submitted by speedknight02 on December 02, 2006

Add your review of this recipe.