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Pasta alla Norma!
Ingredients:
• 1 pound spaghetti
• 2 eggplants, cut into 1″ cubes
• 2 large tomatoes, diced
• 4-5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 8-10 leaves of fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Shaved parmesan or ricotta salata cheese

Instructions:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti al dente, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add eggplant and season with salt and pepper. Cook until tender but not brown.
3. Add garlic and tomatoes to skillet and cook for about 4-5 minutes.
4. Add red pepper flakes and basil and cook for about a minute more.
5. Add drained spaghetti to the skillet and toss with sauce. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and cook for another few minutes.
6. Plate the pasta and top with parmesan or ricotta salata cheese.

Pair the dish with an Italian Pinot Grigio or a light beer.

Pasta Alla Norma Recipe

Origin of Pasta Alla Norma

Pasta Alla Norma is a popular Sicilian dish originating from Catania. It is well known throughout Italy, however it is also incredibly popular in the United States. The dish is often served with a simple tomato sauce and shredded fried eggplant slices. It is usually paired with a dry white wine, such as Fiano or Pinot Grigio.

Adjusting Pasta Alla Norma to be Gluten Free

One way to make pasta alla norma gluten-free is to use a gluten-free alternative such as quinoa pasta. Quinoa is an ancient grain that is naturally gluten-free and provides an excellent source of protein. Other gluten-free pasta options include rice, corn, buckwheat, chickpea, and amaranth. All of these options can easily be swapped for traditional wheat pasta in this recipe.

Adjusting Pasta Alla Norma to be Vegan

To make this dish vegan-friendly, you would need to swap out ingredients such as cheese and eggs. A good vegan substitute for ricotta is tofu-based ricotta. To replace the eggplant slices, you could use grilled zucchini or eggplant. This will maintain the same flavor and texture of the dish. For the tomato sauce, it is best to use an all-natural marinara sauce that does not contain any animal products such as butter or cheese.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Pasta Alla Norma is a classic Italian dish with a wide range of options for customization. It is easy to make it gluten-free and vegan friendly by simply swapping out traditional ingredients for their gluten-free or vegan alternatives. Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or both, this dish can easily be enjoyed in a tasty and nutritious way.

References

Wikipedia – Pasta Alla Norma

Wikipedia – Gluten-Free Diet