Basil Garlic Fettuccine topped with Eggplant Tomato Sauce & Meatballs
Serving Size: Â 4-6
Ingredients:
1 lb. Pappardelle’s Basil Garlic Fettuccine
1/2 yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 medium eggplant, diced and purged*
3 garlic cloves, minced
6 roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 t. anchovy paste
1/2 t. green olive tapenade
1/4 c. walnuts, roughly chopped
Pinch red pepper flake
1/4 - 1/3 c. white wine
8-10 Italian style chicken meatballs
Parmesan cheese, to taste
Salt & Pepper, to taste
*Toss diced eggplant generously with salt and place in a colander over the sink for at least 20 minutes and up to 1 hour. This draws the liquid out and results in a better texture when cooking. When ready to make sauce, rinse eggplant under water and pat dry.
Instructions:Â
- Put a pot of salted water on to boil.
- Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat, adding enough olive or vegetable oil to coat the bottom. Add onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high and add eggplant; occasionally stir and cook until eggplant is golden brown, about 10-15 minutes, adding more oil if eggplant sticks and pan is looking dry.
- Meanwhile, heat a small non-stick pan over medium heat. Add chopped walnuts, 1 garlic clove, and a pinch of red pepper flake. Cook until fragrant and toasty, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper, and set aside.
- When eggplant is golden, add remaining garlic, tomatoes, anchovy paste, and green olive tapenade. Season with salt and pepper and cook about 5 minutes, stirring often. Deglaze with white wine, scraping up any bits on the bottom of the pan. Add meatballs to pan and cook until heated through.
- When water is boiling, add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain, reserving at least 1/2 c. pasta water, and add cooked pasta to sauté pan, along with half of the toasted walnuts, Parmesan, and a ladle of pasta water. Toss and season to taste, adding more pasta water as needed. Serve with meatballs and a garnish of remaining walnuts and Parmesan.
