Pasta alla Norma is a traditional dish from the Sicilian city of Catania. It is a simple and delicious pasta dish made with a few key ingredients: pasta, eggplant, tomato sauce, and fresh cheese.

The dish owes its name to the opera Norma by the composer Vincenzo Bellini. The story goes that a chef from Catania named his dish after the opera’s lead character, Norma, as a tribute to the composer who hailed from the same region.

This dish is easy to prepare, but it is all about getting the flavors right. The key to making Pasta alla Norma is to cook the eggplants until they are tender, and the tomato sauce has enough time to thicken. It’s also important to choose the right type of pasta, such as rigatoni or spaghetti, that can hold up to the hearty sauce.

To make Pasta alla Norma, you will need a few ingredients:

– 1 lb of pasta
– 2 eggplants
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 can of crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
– ½ cup of grated Pecorino Romano cheese
– Salt and pepper
– Olive oil
– Basil leaves, torn

Begin by washing the eggplants and slicing them into cubes. Sprinkle them with salt and let them rest for about 20 minutes, then rinse them and pat them dry with a paper towel. This step will remove the excess water from the eggplants and make them more flavorful.

Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the eggplants and cook them until they are soft and browned, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove them from the skillet and set them aside.

In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for a minute until fragrant. Add the crushed tomatoes and cook them, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes or until the sauce thickens.

While the sauce is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Add the cooked eggplants and stir everything together until well combined.

To serve Pasta alla Norma, sprinkle some grated Pecorino Romano cheese and torn basil leaves on top of each plate. The cheese will melt and become creamy, while the basil adds a fresh flavor to the dish.

Pasta alla Norma is a comforting and satisfying dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual dinner party with friends. This classic Sicilian recipe will transport you to the sunny shores of southern Italy with every bite. So why not give it a try and bring a taste of Sicily to your home?

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