Grilled Eggplant-Italian Sausage Pasta With Ricotta

• 1 pound Whole Wheat linguine
• 1 sprig Fresh basil plus 1/4 cup julienne to finish dish
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil, divided (1 for microwaving garlic and 2 for tossing pasta)
• Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
• 2 each: Japanese eggplant, zucchini, peeled large onion, sliced into 1/3 - 1/2" rounds
• 2 Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups ricotta (homemade or fresh, if possible)
• 2 cups Cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• 1 pinch Crushed red pepper
• 4 pieces Italian sausage
• 1 tablespoon Canola oil (for oiling grill)
• 4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

1. On outdoor grill burner (or indoors), bring a kettle of water seasoned with salt, pepper, and a sprig of basil to a boil. Add pasta. Cook until al dente, drain, and pour into a large pasta bowl or another pot. Toss with 2T olive oil.
2. Meantime, oil grill and heat to medium. Directly on grill, or on racks, grill salted and peppered eggplant, zucchini, and onion a few minutes on each side until grill marks show and vegetables are just tender. Add to pasta bowl. Grill Italian sausages, turning once or twice, about six minutes on each side until thoroughly cooked. Let rest, slice and add to pasta mixture. Toss well. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Cook minced garlic and a bit of olive oil together in the microwave on high, in a microwave-safe container (Pyrex cup works well) for 30 seconds or so. To pasta mixture, add the cooked garlic, ricotta, cut cherry tomatoes, julienne basil, and crushed red pepper. Toss well. Taste and re-season. Serve warm or at room temperature, passing Parmesan at table if desired. Eat outdoors if possible and drink a very cold, full-bodied Italian rose with this meal. If temperature is cooler, a light Italian red would also drink.

linguine, basil, olive oil, kosher salt, japanese eggplant, garlic, ricotta, cherry tomatoes, red pepper, italian sausage, canola oil, parmesan cheese

Taken from food52.com/recipes/18379-grilled-eggplant-italian-sausage-pasta-with-ricotta (may not work)