Creamy Aubergine (Eggplant) Ricotta Pasta

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Much like my last recipe, Spinach “Crack”, this dish was an accident of sorts.  It started with a trip to Sicily, and everyone telling me I had to try the typical Sicilian dish of pasta alla norma, a pasta with aubergine (eggplant) and ricotta salata.  I tried a cheese-free vegan version in Sicily, but I was eager to try a version with vegan cheese when I got home.  Unfortunately, I didn’t read recipes carefully enough to realise that usually pasta alla norma is topped with ricotta salata, a salted ricotta cheese which is hard and crumbly.  Instead, I used my normal cashew tofu ricotta, which I mixed straight into the sauce.  But no matter, even if it wasn’t a traditional pasta alla norma, it was delicious.  And my (non-vegan) boyfriend/Taste Tester approved, making this recipe Suitable for Non Vegans too!

Creamy Aubergine Ricotta Pasta

Makes 4-5 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 aubergine (eggplants), quartered and sliced into small strips, white fluffy inner parts removed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried Italian herb mix or dried oregano
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped
  • 2 tins of chopped tomatoes in their juices
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 500 g dried penne or fusilli pasta
  • 1 recipe cashew-tofu ricotta, recipe below

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a frying pan or wok over medium heat.  Quarter the aubergine and remove the fluffy white innards. Cut into small strips (about the length and width of the penne).  Cook the aubergine in batches until you can slice through them easily with the side of a fork.
  2. Return all the aubergine to the pan, add the minced garlic and dried Italian herbs, and cook until the garlic is browned.
  3. Add the tomatoes to the pan, and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently.
  4. In the meantime, boil a large pot of water and add the penne pasta.  Cook according to packet instructions, the drain and set to one side.
  5. When the tomato-aubergine mixture has finished cooking, add it to the pasta in a large pot.  Add the ricotta and stir to combine.
  6. Top with vegan parmesan, if desired.

Vegan Ricotta

  • 1 package (approx 1 lb) firm tofu, drained and pressed
  • 1/2 cup cashews
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast flake
  • 10 fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • fresh black pepper to taste
  • Italian dried herb mix to taste

Instructions

  1. In a spice grinder, grind cashews until fine.
  2. In a food processor, blend cashews, tofu, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, nutritional yeast, tahini, miso, basil, black pepper, and Italian herb mix until it forms a thick paste.
  3. Adjust seasonings to taste.

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Caitlin Galer-Unti

Hi, I’m Caitlin and I’ve been vegan since 2008 and vegetarian my whole life. Since going vegan, I’ve lived in 4 countries and travelled to over 30! I’ve also published two bestselling vegan books (The Essential Vegan Travel Guide and The Barcelona Vegan Guide) and had my work featured in The New York Times, Vegetarian Food & Living and Vegan Life magazine. I’ve veganised my life and I’m here to help you design your life around your vegan values. 

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