Legend has it that this dish was first created in Sicily as a tribute to the famous opera by Vincenzo Bellini, a native composer. This version stays true to the traditional recipe, combining eggplant, tomatoes, and basil.

　　

Ingredients

serves 4 to 6

　　Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

　　1 pound penne rigate

　　1/4 cup olive oil

　　1 onion, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced

　　4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

　　1/4 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes

　　1 large eggplant, cut into 1/4-inch chunks

　　1 1/2 pounds plum tomatoes, cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks

　　2 tablespoons tomato paste

　　1/4 cup water, plus more as needed

　　1/2 cup firmly packed torn fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish

　　3/4 cup ricotta cheese

　　

Step 1

Bring a pot of water to a boil; add a generous amount of salt. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain pasta; return to pot.

　　

Step 2

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Add onion, garlic, and red-pepper flakes; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, about 5 minutes.

　　

Step 3

Add eggplant; season generously with salt and pepper. Cover, and cook until eggplant begins to release juices, about 5 minutes. Uncover; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 3 to 4 minutes (if mixture begins to brown too much on bottom of pan, add up to a few tablespoons water, and scrape up bits with a wooden spoon).

　　

Step 4

Add tomatoes, tomato paste, and 1/4 cup water; cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are softened, about 5 minutes.

　　

Step 5

Add tomato mixture and basil to pot, and toss with pasta; briefly reheat over medium-low if necessary. To serve, divide among bowls; top each with a dollop of ricotta, and garnish with additional basil.

　　Everyday Food: Fresh Flavor Fast by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Copyright © 2010 by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Published by the Crown Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Martha Stewart Living magazine was first published in 1990. Over the years, more than two dozen books have been published by the magazine’s editors.Martha Stewart is the author of dozens of best-selling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the successful daily syndicated television show.