Recipe: Penne with Eggplant, Olives and Feta Cheese

Penne with Eggplant, Olives and Feta Cheese
Usenet/Rhino 7 (The Bookwurm)/2002
Servings 8-10

I've made this several times and it never disappoints. Don't be
afraid of making too much - it's even better the next day reheated.

8 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 pound red bell peppers, diced
6 large garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1 1/4 pound eggplant, unpeeled, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 (28 oz) can of diced tomatoes in juice
1 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pitted Kalamata olives or other brine-cured black olives
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
12 ounces penne pasta
14 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

Brush 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish with 2 tablespoons oil. Heat remaining 6 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers, garlic and crushed pepper; saute 3 minutes. Add eggplant and oregano. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover; cook until eggplant softens, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Mix in tomatoes with juices, 1/2 cup basil, olives, tomato paste and vinegar. Cover; simmer until all vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite; drain well. Stir pasta into vegetable mixture. Transfer to prepared dish. Cover dish with foil.

Preheat oven to 350F. Bake pasta covered until heated through, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with feta, then 1/2 cup basil.

(I generally skip the baking step. I just combine the pasta, sauce, feta and basil and serve. Suit yourself.)