Eggplant Pasta Salad Recipes

PASTA SALAD ALLA NORMA

Steps:

• Put the eggplant in a colander and toss with 1 teaspoon salt. Let stand, tossing occasionally, for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Rinse and drain well, then pat dry with paper towels.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to the package directions.
• While the pasta cooks, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the eggplant and cook, stirring occasionally, until very tender and golden brown, about 8 minutes. Add the cherry tomatoes, capers and garlic and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes start to break down, about 2 minutes more. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Add the drained pasta to the bowl with the eggplant mixture and stir in the vinegar; add salt to taste. Let stand until cooled to slightly warm or room temperature, then stir in the mozzarella and basil. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 hours.

EGGPLANT AND SAUSAGE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente. Drain in a colander and let cool a bit before transferring the pasta to a large bowl. Drizzle with the 2 tablespoons olive oil and mix to combine.
• Add the eggplant to the prepared baking sheet; drizzle with the 1/4 cup olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss it all together. Roast until golden, tender and caramelized, about 30 minutes.
• Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and saute until cooked through, using the back of a wooden spoon to crumble the sausage, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the tomatoes and garlic and cook until heated through and starting to soften a bit, 1 minute. Add the sausage mixture to the pasta bowl. Add the lemon juice, basil, parsley, olives and roasted eggplant to the bowl and toss together. Top with the feta cheese. Serve at room temperature.

PASTA SALAD WITH ROASTED EGGPLANT, CHILE AND MINT

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. On rimmed baking sheet, toss together eggplant, 3 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Spread into one layer. Roast, tossing occasionally, until the eggplant is golden brown, about 25 minutes.
• Place tomato in large bowl and sprinkle lightly with salt.
• Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne to al dente according to package instructions; drain well.
• While pasta cooks, heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil. Stir in garlic, anchovies and chile flakes, and cook until golden and soft, about 3 minutes. Turn off heat and, using slotted spoon, transfer garlic to cutting board. Let garlic cool for a few minutes, then chop up and add back to the oil. Pour garlic-chile into bowl with tomatoes. Add eggplant and capers, and toss well.
• Add pasta to bowl with eggplant and tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste, and drizzle generously with oil. Toss in herbs and serve warm or at room temperature.

EGGPLANT PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the celery and cook, 3 minutes. Stir in the eggplant and tomatoes.
• In a small bowl, combine the tomato paste, vinegar, 1/4 cup water, 2 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and the sugar. Stir into the eggplant. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the capers, pine nuts (if using), and parsley.
• Meanwhile, cook the penne according to the package directions. Toss with the remaining oil, let cool, and cover. Combine the eggplant with the pasta before serving.

PASTA SALAD WITH ROASTED EGGPLANT GIBB

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• In a large colander set over a bowl toss eggplant with salt and let stand 1 hour.
• Rinse eggplant under cold water and gently squeeze by handfuls to remove excess liquid. Transfer eggplant to a large jelly-roll and toss with 2 tablespoons oil. Roast eggplant in middle of oven, shaking pan occasionally, until tender and golden, about 45 minutes, and cool.
• In a 4-quart kettle bring 2 quarts salted water to a boil for pasta.
• In a large bowl stir together eggplant, bell peppers, pine nuts, parsley, and basil.
• In a small bowl whisk together garlic, sugar, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Add remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a stream, whisking, and whisk until emulsified.
• Add pasta to boiling water and boil, stirring occasionally, until al dente. In colander drain pasta and rinse under cold water. Add pasta to eggplant mixture and drizzle with dressing.

GRILLED RATATOUILLE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium heat. Toss zucchini, eggplant, and 1/4 cup oil on a rimmed baking sheet; season with 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Grill, turning often, until steamy, tender, and charred all over, 8-12 minutes. Return to baking sheet and let cool.
• Cook pasta according to package directions.
• Slice grilled vegetables into bite-size pieces and transfer to a large bowl. Add tomato, cheese, vinegar, thyme, and 1 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper, and 1/2 cup oil and mix to combine. Drain pasta and immediately add to bowl with vegetables. Mix well to combine, then top with basil.
• Do Ahead: Vegetables can be grilled 3 days ahead. Transfer (whole) to an airtight container and chill.