Rigatoni Alla Siciliana Recipes

PASTA ALLA SICILIANA

Steps:

• Toss cubed eggplant with a 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and a 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Spread eggplant out, without crowding, on a baking sheet (use 2 if necessary) and bake in the middle of oven for 25 minutes at 400f.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water (2 tablespoons kosher salt per gallon of water) to boil.
• In a very large pan saute the onions in a 1/4 cup of olive over medium-low heat until translucent (about 5 minutes). Add in the garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes more until lightly golden, then add in the red pepper flakes and cook for 30 more seconds.
• Add in the crushed plum tomatoes and bring the sauce to a simmer. While the sauce is simmering cook the pasta until al dente.
• Season the sauce with a bit of kosher salt and taste test it. If more salt or pepper is needed, add it now. Add in the roasted eggplant, basil, mint, and the al dente pasta to the sauce. Cook for 1 minute more while stirring it all together. If the pasta is too dry add a couple of ounces of pasta water and mix.
• Turn off the heat and add in the cubed mozzarella and grated Pecorino Romano cheese. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

BAKED RIGATONI - RIGATONI AL FORNO

Steps:

• In a sauce pan add some olive oil and chopped onion. Once the onion turns clear add the chopped meat an let it saute` in the oil and the onion. After 3 minutes add the wine and let it evaporate for 5 minutes. Add the tomato sauce and let everything cook at low heat for 20 minutes. Stir from time to time. In a separate pot boil water and cook the rigatoni. The rigatoni should be cooked very "Al Dente". In an oven pan spread a thin layer of meat sauce and add a layer of rigatoni. Cover the rigatoni with a layer of sauce and a good sprinkle of Parmigiano. Add a layer of mozzarella cut in small cubes and a layer of slices of ham. Repeat the layering process until you have no more rigatoni. The last layer of rigatoni should be covered with a generous layer of sauce, a good sprinkle of Parmigiano and mozzarella cubes. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes at 375F.

RIGATONI ALLA SICILIANA

Steps:

• Trim eggplant and cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
• In a large skillet, cook eggplant and garlic in oil for 7 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in tomatoes and break up with a wooden spoon.
• Add oregano, salt and red pepper flakes.
• Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• While sauce is simmering, cook pasta following package directions.
• Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.
• Toss drained pasta with sauce.
• Add reserved pasta water, in 1/4 cup increments, until desired consistency is reached.
• Stir in cheese, allow to melt slightly and serve.

RIGATONI ALLA TURCA

Steps:

• Boil the rigatoni and cut in pieces the peppers.
• Once the rigatoni are boiled, fry the peppers (not very much).
• Mix the rigatoni with the tomato sauce, the peppers, the tobasco, the olive oil and the salt.
• Once served add the cheese (optional) to each plate.