Oven-Baked Penne with Eggplant: Penne al Forno con Melanzane

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup bread crumbs fresh
• 56 ounce tomatoes whole crushed peeled canned
• 0.5 medium carrots shredded finely
• 2 pounds eggplant sliced
• 4 sprigs basil fresh
• 3 tablespoons thyme leaves dried fresh chopped
• 4  garlic cloves peeled thinly sliced
• 0.3 cup olive oil extra-virgin
• 3 tablespoons olive oil extra-virgin
• 1  onion spanish chopped
• 1 pound penne pasta 
• 6 servings salt 
• 6 servings salt and pepper 
• 6 servings sea salt 
• 0.3 cup caciocavallo grated
• 0.3 cup caciocavallo grated

Equipment

• frying pan
• paper towels
• sauce pan
• oven
• colander

Directions

1. Stack eggplant slices in a colander, each piece sprinkled with sea salt. Weigh the slices with a large, full can of tomatoes or other weight and set aside in the kitchen sink so that juices run free. After 1 hour, rinse and pat dry.
2. Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons salt.
3. In a 12 to 14-inch saute pan, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat and saute eggplant slices until golden brown on both sides, working in batches if necessary and removing cooked eggplant to a plate lined with a paper towel.
4. Cook the penne in the boiling water until not quite done; about 5 minutes.
5. Drain the pasta and toss with 3/4 cup of tomato sauce.
6. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
7. Grease a glass or ceramic oven dish with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cover the bottom of the dish with a few tablespoons of tomato sauce. Top with half the bread crumbs, and salt and pepper, to taste.
8. Add half the cooked pasta, then half of the eggplant slices, arranged in a layer.
9. Drizzle about 1/4 cup of the tomato sauce over, and top with half the grated cheese and torn basil leaves. Repeat the process with remaining tomato sauce, bread crumbs, pasta, eggplant, cheese, and basil.
10. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and bake in oven for 1 hour.
11. Let rest 30 minutes before serving.
12. In a 3-quart saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
13. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until soft and light golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes.
14. Add the thyme and carrot, and cook 5 minutes more, until the carrot is quite soft.
15. Add the tomatoes and juice and bring to a boil, stirring often. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes until as thick as hot cereal. Season with salt and serve. This sauce holds 1 week in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer.