Spaghetti alla Turiddu

Spaghetti alla Turiddu are a typical dish of Sicilian cuisine, and take their name from a Sicilian nickname, “Turiddu”. The traditional recipe involves the use of simple but flavorful ingredients. The preparation requires spaghetti, dressed with a rich sauce based on fried eggplant, tomato and basil, often enriched with grated salted ricotta on top.

Ingredients

• Spaghetti
• Eggplants
• Peeled tomatoes or tomato passata
• Fresh basil
• Garlic
• Salted ricotta (for garnish)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Chili pepper (optional)

Preparation

1. Cut the eggplants into cubes and fry them in hot oil until golden. Set them aside on paper towels to remove excess oil.
2. In the meantime, bring a pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
3. In a pan, sauté the garlic (to be removed after browning if preferred) and add the peeled tomatoes or tomato passata.
4. Allow to cook for about 15 minutes over medium heat, then add the fried eggplants.
5. Cook the pasta al dente, drain it and add it to the sauce in the pan, adding chopped fresh basil.
6. Toss the pasta in the sauce for a minute to let it absorb the flavors well.
7. Serve hot with grated salted ricotta on top to taste.

Trivia

The dish is a tribute to Sicilian home cooking, where eggplants are a frequent protagonist. “Turiddu” is a term of endearment and this dish is often associated with the conviviality and generosity typical of the island’s culture.

If you need a more detailed version or an alternative for a specific ingredient, let me know!