How to make
Spaghetti alla norma is a typical Sicilian recipe. Each house there has their own recipe and each claims to be original. It can be made with garlic or onion, eggplant (cut into circles or cubes), tomatoes (grinded or chopped) and ricotta (salted or unsalted).
Everything, according to the Italians, is important, in order to create a plate of delicious pasta. Its name alla norma comes from the exclamation of an Italian poet and composer Nino Martoglio, who, trying it, exclaimed - it's like watching Norma, referring to the great success of Bellini's opera!
Cut one of the eggplants into thin circles and the other one in half. Heat sunflower oil and fry the eggplants. Take them out and place them onto kitchen paper, so that it can absorb the excess oil.
In a large pan, heat the olive oil, pour the grinded tomatoes and you can also add one diced tomato. Season with salt and a generous pinch of sugar. Cook the sauce, until it thickens. Remove the pan from the heat and season with a crushed clove of garlic and chopped mint leaves. Add the fried eggplant.
In boiling water cook the spaghetti according to the instructions on the package. Strain them and immediately pour them into the tomato sauce. Put the pot back onto the heat for a short time and shake, until the products have homogenized well.
Put the eggplant halves on plates and the spaghetti on top. Garnish with pieces of ricotta and fresh mint leaves. Serve immediately!
