Vegetable and Pasta Stew

• 13 cup virgin olive oil
• 1 small unpeeled eggplant (8 ounces), preferably the small, thin Japanese variety, cut into 1- to 1 1/2-inch chunks (about 2 1/2 cups)
• 1 red onion (6 ounces), peeled and chopped coarse (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 10 scallions, dark green and damaged outer leaves removed and discarded, remainder cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
• 1 sweet red pepper (7 ounces), seeded and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1 piece cauliflower (8 to 10 ounces), divided into florets (about 2 cups)
• 1 zucchini (7 ounces), washed, trimmed, and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 to 4 quarts water
• 1 pound gnocchetti (or another small pasta like elbow, bow-tie, penne, ziti or rigati)
• 1/4 cup imported Parmesan cheese, plus additional for garnish if desired
• 2 tablespoons virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. To prepare the vegetables, heat the olive oil in a large skillet.
2. When hot, add the eggplant and cook it over medium to high heat for about 5 minutes, until it is brown on all sides.
3. (It will absorb most of the oil.)
4. Add the red onion, scallions, red pepper and cauliflower to the skillet.
5. Cover and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
6. Add the zucchini and cook for 2 minutes more, covered.
7. Add the salt and pepper, toss until well mixed and set aside.
8. Meanwhile, prepare the pasta: bring water to a boil in a large pot.
9. Add the pasta and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the size and type of pasta you are using and how you like it cooked.
10. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
11. Put this water in a large serving bowl and mix it with the cheese, olive oil, salt and pepper.
12. Add the pasta and toss it with the cheese mixture.
13. Stir in the reserved vegetables and serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.

virgin olive oil, thin japanese, red onion, scallions, sweet red pepper, cauliflower, zucchini, salt, freshly ground black pepper, water, gnocchetti, parmesan cheese, virgin olive oil, salt, freshly ground black pepper

Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/4290 (may not work)