Tomato and Eggplant Fusilli

By Treebs

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 lg eggplant (about 1 1/4 lb), cut into 1/2" cubes
• 1 lg clove of garlic, sliced
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 lb whole wheat fusilli
• 1 cup fresh basil, hand torn
• 1 heaping cup (4 oz) shredded ricotta salata

Preparation

Step 1

1.) In a large lidded skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Stir in tomatoes and eggplant. Cook, covered 15 minutes. (If skillet does not have a lid, try covering tightly with aluminum foil or a baking sheet.) Stir in garlic and 1/4 tsp of the salt; cover and cook another 10 to 15 minutes until tomatoes are slightly wilted.

2.) Meanwhile, bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook fusilli according to package directions, reserving 3/4 cup of the pasta water. Using a slotted spoon, transfer fusilli to skillet with tomato-eggplant mixture. Stir in 1/2 cup of the pasta water, 3/4 cup of basil, 3/4 cup of the ricotta salata, the remaining 2 tbsp oil and remaining 1/2 tsp salt. (if pasta seems dry, stir in 1/4 cup pasta water.) Garnish with remaining 1/4 cup basil and 1/4 cup ricotta salata.