Eggplant And Pasta Incaciata

Serves: 4

Clair Leannon

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

52

Spice

61

Sweetness

59

Sourness

45

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.3

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1

Salt

450 g

Ground Pork

2 medium

Eggplant

Directions:

1

Special equipment: One 9-inch springform pan at least 3 inches high For the red sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan

2

Add the garlic and onions and saute until tender, 5 minutes

3

Add the tomatoes, red pepper flakes and some salt and black pepper and simmer for 20 minutes

4

Stir the basil leaves into the sauce at the end of simmering, if using

5

For the eggplant and pasta incaciata: Grease the bottom and insides of the springform pan with softened butter

6

Mix 1/4 cup of the breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of the Parmigiano cheese

7

Coat the inside of the pan well with the cheese mixture

8

Knock out any excess and discard

9

Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in a large saute pan over medium heat

10

Add the ground pork and sprinkle with salt and black pepper and saute until cooked through

11

Add the garlic and cook until fragrant

12

Stir in the red wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minutes

13

Add 4 cups of the red sauce and bring back to a simmer

14

Cook for another 5 minutes and season with salt and black pepper

15

Reserve the remaining red sauce for another use

16

Meanwhile, slice the eggplants lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick planks

17

Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat

18

Sprinkle the eggplant with salt and black pepper and fry in a single layer, working in batches, until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side

19

Repeat with the remaining eggplant, using 3 tablespoons of oil per batch

20

Remove from the oil and drain on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet

21

Combine the cooked pasta with the mozzarella and ragu in a large bowl

22

To assemble, line the bottom of the prepared springform pan with a single layer of eggplant, then line the sides with the eggplant planks vertically, allowing the excess to hang over the outside

23

Fill the inside of the lined pan with the pasta mixture, pressing down gently

24

Fold the flaps of eggplant over the top of the pasta, using any remaining eggplant slices to cover the top

25

Cover with plastic and weigh it down with a plate

26

Refrigerate for a few hours and up to overnight

27

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F

28

Sprinkle the top with the remaining Parmigiano and breadcrumbs

29

Cover the top loosely with foil, place on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes

30

Remove the foil and bake until bubbling and the top is golden brown, an additional 15 minutes

31

Let rest for 15 to 20 minutes and cool slightly before unmolding from the pan

32

Slice and serve