Fusilli with Roasted Eggplant and Goat Cheese
- 1 medium eggplant, sliced lengthwise 1/2 inch thick and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch sticks
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 3/4 pound fusilli
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 1 large garlic clove, thinly sliced
- Pinch of crushed red pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
- 2 ounces fresh goat cheese, crumbled
- Preheat the oven to 375.
- In a large bowl, toss the eggplant with 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Spread the eggplant on a large rimmed baking sheet and roast for about 30 minutes, until browned on the bottom.
- Using a metal spatula, turn the eggplant, scraping it off the baking sheet (it might break up slightly) and roast for about 10 minutes longer, until very tender.
- Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the fusilli until al dente.
- Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- In a very large, deep skillet, toast the pine nuts over moderate heat, tossing frequently, until lightly golden in spots, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer the pine nuts to a work surface and coarsely chop them.
- Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil in the skillet.
- Add the garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until tender, about 1 minute.
- Add the crushed red pepper and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the fusilli, roasted eggplant, pine nuts, lemon juice and the reserved pasta water and toss over moderate heat until the pasta is evenly coated, about 1 minute.
- Season the pasta with salt and pepper and remove from the heat.
- Add the parsley and lemon zest and toss.
- Add the goat cheese and toss gently until the cheese is slightly melted.
- Spoon the fusilli into bowls and serve.
eggplant, extravirgin olive oil, kosher salt, fusilli, nuts, garlic, red pepper, lemon juice, flatleaf parsley, lemon zest, goat cheese
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/fusilli-roasted-eggplant-and-goat-cheese (may not work)