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pasta-alla-norma

Not only does this dish remind me of our special time in Sicily, and the many delicious foods we ate there (4 meals per day!), it's also the dish that transformed my relationship with eggplant. Let me explain. I always disliked eggplant, without ever having tried it. (Ridiculous, I know.) So when our private tour guide took us to a local joint for lunch one day, I declined his suggestion of ordering this Sicilian specialty. (This, despite the fact that we were at the end of our trip and every meal I had enjoyed was utterly mouth watering.) Lucky for me, Faisal was happy to oblige. And when it showed up on the table, it looked so incredibly delicious that I just had to have a bite...of an eggplant dish...for the first time in my life. And BOY OH BOY was I hooked! Not only did I take a few extra bites off Faisal's plate...I also insisted that we go back the next day on our way to the airport! I just couldn't leave without my own plate of this goodness. And so, on our last day in Sicily, we went back to the same local joint and ordered two plates of this divine dish. Admittedly, it's very hard to recreate the authentic local flavours - it's just not the same without the fresh produce. But it's still a recipe we enjoy thoroughly. So much so that I like to put in extra eggplants for some extra creamy goodness. And for the record, ever since I tried Pasta alla Norma, I have become enamoured by eggplants. I will eat anything with eggplants - and seek it out in fact. I don't think this beautiful vegetable has ever let me down! Fun facts: The name Pasta alla Norma originates from Catania, a city in Sicily, Italy, and is said to be inspired by Vincenzo Bellini's famous opera, Norma. Bellini, a celebrated 19th-century composer, was born in Catania, and his opera became a source of local pride. According to popular lore, the dish was named alla Norma to signify its perfection and artistic brilliance, much like the opera. It is said that a Sicilian playwright or critic exclaimed upon tasting the dish, "This is a true Norma!" meaning it was as extraordinary as Bellini's masterpiece. The dish typically features pasta, a tomato-based sauce, fried aubergine (eggplant), ricotta salata, and fresh basil, showcasing the simplicity and richness of Sicilian cuisine.

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