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Orecchiette with chili white eggplants


The eggplants come from my aunt veggie garden, and they really look like eggs! The chili is from a pot on my mum's kitchen window. Even if these days I am not eating from my own garden I am taking advantage of theirs.


Put the chili and garlic in a pan with olive oil, fry for a few minutes and then add the eggplants, cubed. Stir often until the eggplants start to colour. Add a little water and salt and cover with a lid. Stew the eggplants, stirring often and adding water if necessary, until they are soft. At the end add half a cup of chopped parsley, a little olive oil and, if you like, some more chopped garlic and even chopped chili (but only if you like it super spicy!). Cook and drain the orecchiette pasta and then dress with the eggplants. Delicious!

Photos by Alessandra Zecchini ©


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  1. Sharon RuddAugust 16, 2010 at 10:11 AM

    Allesandra, this orchiette looks like a superb but simple dish to prepare. I haven't cooked with white eggplant but am wondering if the flesh inside manages to maintain its light color rather than turning brown the way purple eggplant does. Or do you have some other secret? Thanks much for stopping by my blog. I will be following you as well. Delighted to have inspiration from my new international friends!

    eggy

    ReplyDelete
  2. AlessandraAugust 16, 2010 at 7:21 PM

    Ciao Eggy,

    White eggplants also become brown when cooking (or at least, cooked like in this recipe!), but a bit lighter in colour than the purple ones. Yesterday I went to the country to see my aunt and I got some more, white and purple, I'll let you know if I see a difference in cooking them :-)

    Than you for stopping by

    Alessandra

    ReplyDelete
  3. FaithAugust 17, 2010 at 10:51 AM

    I've never had white eggplants! They're beautiful and I bet this is a very tasty dish!

    ReplyDelete
  4. aipiAugust 17, 2010 at 11:09 AM

    Thanks for stopping by my site. Glad you liked the paneer dish. My husband loves eggplant... have never had white ones though (they do really look like eggs)... just saw them the other day at the local farmer's market... we also love pasta and this dish looks simple and great... will definitely give it a shot sometime.

    ReplyDelete
  5. RachanaAugust 17, 2010 at 11:09 AM

    Simple yet so delicious! I am a big fan of eggplants and this looks fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AlessandraAugust 18, 2010 at 12:52 AM

    Thank you al for your comments, Aipi, guess what, I could even stuck paneer in this one too!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. shahanaAugust 18, 2010 at 1:14 PM

    This recipe is new tome.Sounhds really delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  8. yariAugust 19, 2010 at 7:42 AM

    White eggplants... Astonishing, never seen them before! Is it a particular, local variety?

    ReplyDelete
  9. AlessandraAugust 19, 2010 at 8:13 AM

    Not sure Yari, I have seen them in NZ, and here in Italy my aunt has been growing them for a few years now... they look pretty eh?

    ReplyDelete

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