Baked Tomatoes Sicilian Style Recipes

BAKED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Slice the tomatoes from core to core. Remove and discard the seeds and juice, and add the tomatoes to a casserole dish. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Combine the 2 tablespoons olive oil, panko, Parmesan, parsley, garlic, shallots, red pepper flakes and some salt and pepper together in a small bowl. Fill the tomatoes with the panko mixture. Bake 20 minutes. Drizzle with a splash of olive oil before serving.

BAKED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cut each tomato lengthwise into 6 wedges.
• In bowl, toss tomato wedges with half of each of the oil, salt and pepper.
• Arrange tomatoes, cut side up in 13x9 inch glass baking dish, roast in 400f degree oven for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile in bowl, combine bread crumbs, garlic, parsley and remaining oil, salt and pepper.
• Remove tomatoes from oven, sprinkle with bread crumb mixture.
• Roast until bread crumb mixture is golden, about 20 minutes.
• Sprinkle with cheese, if using and return to oven for another 5 minutes, until cheese melts.

BASIL BAKED TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a small skillet, saute garlic in oil for 1 minute. Add bread crumbs; cook and stir until lightly browned. Remove from the heat., Cut tomatoes in half widthwise. Place cut side up in an 8-in. square baking dish. Sprinkle with basil and pepper; top with bread crumb mixture. Bake at 325° for 15-20 minutes or until tomatoes are slightly softened.

ZITI WITH SICILIAN-STYLE TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the eggplant and cook, stirring occasionally until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
• Add the bell pepper and garlic, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the tomato paste, tomatoes, capers, and salt and black pepper to taste, and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes to reduce slightly and the flavors.
• Add the basil and keep warm over low heat.
• Cook the ziti i a large pot of salted boiling water, stirring occasionally, until it is al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
• When the pasta is cooked, drain it and place in a shallow serving bowl.
• Add the sauce, sprinkle with grated cheese, and toss gently.
• Serve immediately.

SICILIAN STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil a baking dish large enough to accommodate all of the tomatoes. Cut off the top fourth of the tomatoes, and reserve the tops. Place a strainer over a bowl, and gently scoop or squeeze out the seeds without breaking the tomatoes. Rub the seed pockets against the strainer to extract juice. Discard the seeds. Using a grapefruit spoon, scoop out as much of the tomato pulp from inside the skins as you can, but don't break the skins. Chop the pulp, and set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a medium skillet. Add the onion. Cook 5 to 8 minutes, stirring often, until tender and beginning to color. Add the garlic. Stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the anchovies, parsley, capers, olives, bread crumbs and tomato pulp. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and stir for about two minutes until fragrant and well amalgamated. Moisten as desired with the strained juice. Fill the tomatoes with this mixture and place them in the baking dish. Return the tops. Brush with the remaining olive oil.
• Place in the oven, and bake 20 to 25 minutes, until the skins begin to wrinkle. The tomatoes should be soft but not mushy. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature.