Fusilli with Eggplants and Cherry Tomatoes: Easy and Delicious Recipe

If you’re looking for a simple, tasty recipe rich in Mediterranean flavors, fusilli with eggplants and cherry tomatoes are the perfect choice. This dish combines the goodness of durum wheat pasta with the intense flavor of eggplants and the sweetness of cherry tomatoes. Perfect for a family dinner or to impress guests with a light and nutritious meal.

Ingredients for 4 people

To prepare this delicious dish, you will need just a few simple ingredients:

• 320 g of Fusilli | Artisan Pasta Bronze-Extruded èViva
• 350 g of fresh eggplants
• 250 g of cherry tomatoes
• A few leaves of fresh basil
• 100 g of fresh spring onions
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 30 g of extra virgin olive oil from mono-varietal Peranzana
• Parmigiano Reggiano to taste

How to Prepare Fusilli with Eggplants and Cherry Tomatoes

Preparation of the Eggplants

The first step to prepare fusilli with eggplants is to treat the eggplants. Start by thoroughly washing them, then trim and slice them, cutting into cubes about 1 cm in size. This step is essential to ensure even cooking. Once cut, place the eggplant cubes in a colander, salt them, and place a small plate with a weight on top. Let them sit for an hour to drain excess water, which could give the eggplants a bitter taste.

Cooking the Eggplants and Cherry Tomatoes

Meanwhile, thinly slice the fresh spring onion. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large pan and sauté the onion until golden. Add the drained eggplant cubes and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. When the eggplants are tender and cooked, add the halved cherry tomatoes and a few leaves of fresh basil to enhance the flavor further. Season with salt and pepper, then cook for another 4-5 minutes.

Perfect Method for Cooking Pasta

Cooking the Pasta and Assembling the Dish

While the sauce continues to cook, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, using 1 liter of water for every 100 grams of pasta. This ratio is crucial for perfect cooking, ensuring that the pasta doesn’t stick and cooks evenly.

1. Bring the water to a boil: Use a large pot with the necessary amount of water. The use of 1 liter of water for every 100 grams of pasta is essential to prevent the pasta from sticking or cooking unevenly.
2. Add salt: Once the water is boiling, add 10-12 grams of salt per liter of water. This step ensures that the pasta absorbs the right amount of flavor.
3. Add the pasta: Cook the fusilli èViva following the instructions on the package. Thanks to the high quality of our pasta, you’ll notice that the product doubles in volume during cooking: 100 grams of dry pasta will turn into about 200 grams of cooked pasta. This is a sign of the superior texture and quality of èViva, which maintains its structure and flavor throughout the cooking process.
4. Stir the pasta: During the first few minutes of cooking, stir the pasta regularly to prevent it from sticking.
5. Check for al dente cooking: To achieve al dente texture, start tasting the pasta a few minutes before the time indicated on the package.
6. Drain the pasta: Once the fusilli are al dente, drain them immediately. Do not rinse them with cold water to preserve the starch, which helps to better blend with the sauce.
7. Mix with the sauce: Drain the pasta and transfer it directly to the pan with the eggplants and cherry tomatoes. Stir everything over medium heat for a couple of minutes, adding more fresh basil and grated Parmigiano Reggiano as desired.
8. Serve immediately: Once all the flavors are well blended, serve the dish right away to enjoy it at its best.

Tips for Perfect Preparation

To get the best flavor from this dish, it’s important to use fresh, high-quality ingredients. The extra virgin olive oil from mono-varietal Peranzana, with its high smoke point and richness in polyphenols, not only enhances the flavor of the eggplants and cherry tomatoes but also makes the preparation healthier. Be careful not to overcook the eggplants to keep them tender but not mushy.

Variations and Pairings

This dish can be customized in various ways. If you prefer a more robust flavor, you can add black olives or capers to the sauce. Additionally, for a richer vegetarian version, you can substitute Parmigiano Reggiano with salted ricotta or pecorino. Pair the dish with a glass of fresh white wine to complete the culinary experience.

The Importance of Ingredients in Preparation

For an excellent pasta dish, choosing the right ingredients is crucial. Using a pasta like èViva will not only make a difference in the taste and aroma of your dish, but it will also guarantee that you bring a healthy and authentic food to the table. Unlike industrial products, our pasta is free from unwanted elements such as glyphosate and pesticides. It’s made from 100% Italian Pugliese wheat, bronze-extruded, and subjected to a slow drying process that preserves all its organoleptic qualities.
Eating èViva means choosing real food, made with passion and attention to health. Make a difference in your kitchen by choosing superior quality pasta.

Buy now and discover the authentic taste of our tradition.